22 September 2020
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) might experience hickups on its Maharajalela class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) but still packed with lots of lethal punches against hostile external threats especially when pitted against a Navy from neighbouring country.
Initially planned to be replaced by the Keris class Littoral Mission Ship (LMS), the four Laksamana class corvettes will continue to serve the RMN albeit as Fast Attack Craft.
A plan to fit locally develop mini Combat Management System (CMS) for all of the FAC squadrons is also in the pipeline.
KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil 135 (photo : channel indonesia)
Nevertheless, while all six Otomat anti ship missile (AShM) launchers have been removed, each Laksamana FACs still sports 40mm aft gun as well as Aspide Surface to Air Missile (SAM) launcher.
A refit program for all ships of the class has been completed. They are slated to be equipped with Gem Electronicca Electro Optic Fire Control System (EOFCS) which manage the 76mm Oto Melara main naval gun.
When the Laksamanas were armed with the Otomat missiles, they could work together with the AgustaWestland Super Lynx Mk 300 naval helicopter for Over The Horizon (OTH) targeting thanks to Teleguidance telemetric system fitted on the latter.
Malaysia received 20 units of Aspide SAM in 1997 with effective range 25 km (photo : Selenia)
Following the above mentioned refit, the RMN has quickly mobilised these Italian made ships under the Naval Region Command 1 (Markas Wilayah Laut 1 – MAWILLA 1) to patrol the Straits of Melaka.
All four Laksamanas were deployed to Eks Perang Pangkor last May while KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil was recently involved in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Indonesian Navy’s KRI Sutanto, a Kapitan Patimura class corvette on August 2020.