ALAMAK INI KALI KAPAL ADA TAPI MISSILE TAK ADA

 

This is taken from the South China Morning Post, click here. 

• Malaysia’s US$500 million warship set for delivery, minus the missiles
• navy’s first littoral combat ship arriving 
• without anti-ship missiles meant to give it offensive teeth
• Published: 15 Jul 2026 
• warship fully equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and electronic warfare 
• except a way to sink an enemy ship
• After nearly decade of delays, financial scandal, shipyard mismanagement 
• first littoral combat ship finally due in December
• But it will arrive missing any anti-ship missiles

• Norway decision to revoke export licence for Naval Strike Missile 
• the ship itself sails ahead regardless
• vessel would still carry anti-submarine, anti-air and electronic warfare systems
• ship will not carry, for now, a way to strike enemy ships 
• the capability that was meant to define the class.
• missing missile system left “gaping hole in conventional naval deterrence”.
• Turkey and South Korea potential missile suppliers

• More than 60%  of naval fleet over 40 years old
• driving up maintenance costs and straining operations
• search for replacement surface-to-surface missile system will be crucial
• vessel can still handle surveillance, disaster relief, search-and-rescue 
• Maritim Malaysia (coastguard) already does that
• navy never meant to double as coastguard
• replacement surface-to-surface missile system will be crucial
• 
  

• A troubled history
• five Maharaja Lela-class LCS costing roughly RM10.2B or RM2.04B each
• Built to the French Naval Group’s Gowind-class design
• due for delivery in stages through 2029 (originally due in 2019)
• mismanagement at the debt-laden Shipyard caused delays
• Public sentiment soured against programme in scandal’s wake

newest warships capable escorts with no sting

MY COMMENTS:

• five Maharaja Lela-class LCS costing roughly RM10.2B or RM2.04B each

Originally six Maharaja Lela-class LCS were ordered.

Original contract (2011–2014): RM9.13 billion for 6 ships.
This worked out to roughly RM1.52 billion per ship on average.
By 2022, gomen already paid RM6.08 billion, but no ships delivered.

RM10.2 billion +  RM6.08 billion =  RM16.28 billion.

I asked ChatGpt, at today's prices,  what can be bought for RM16.28 billion. Here is the answer from ChatGpt :

A budget of RM16.28 billion (about US$3.8–3.9 billion, depending on exchange rates) is large enough to buy a substantial naval force. The exact number depends on weapons, sensors, logistics, training, and local construction, but here are four realistic examples:

Option. Approximate purchase within RM16.28 billion.

1. Modern frigates. 3 FREMM-class frigates. Large 6,700-ton multi-role ships with anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-ship capabilities. Individual ships have sold for roughly US$1–1.3 billion depending on configuration.

2. Modern submarines. 3 Scorpène-class submarines. Similar family to Malaysia's existing submarines. Modern export prices are roughly US$1–1.3 billion each with weapons and support.

3. Japanese Mogami-class frigates. 6–7 Mogami-class frigates. Japan's latest stealth frigate is designed to be relatively affordable compared with larger Western frigates. (Pictured here).

4. Mixed fleet. 2 submarines + 2 modern frigates A balanced force providing underwater deterrence plus surface combat capability. This would fit broadly within a US$3.8–3.9 billion budget depending on weapons and support packages.

MY COMMENTS: Why pay less when you can pay more?

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT