SHAH ALAM: As reported previously, KD Laksamana Muhammad Amin – pennant number 136 – has been delivered to the RMN after undertaking an extensive 32-month refit at the Grade One Marine Shipyard Sdn Bhd, Lumut. Grade One Marine finally posted on the handing over today on its Facebook page though it stated Muhammad Amin underwent a routine scheduled maintenance or refit. And it did not post a single picture of the whole ship.
The post from Grade One Marine:
Grade One Marine Shipyard Sdn Bhd (GOMSSB) has successfully completed the routine scheduled maintenance (refit) of KD LAKSAMANA MUHAMMAD AMIN at GOMSSB.
This project marks the beginning of a new chapter for GOMSSB, driven by innovative methods and the pursuit of new challenges in line with the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) vision and aspirations.
This refit was not just routine maintenance; it was a transformative effort. By re-hulling the ship and repowering critical government assets, KD LAKSAMANA MUHAMMAD AMIN has been given a new lease on life — reborn as a stronger and more capable warrior of the seas.
Beyond enhancing the company’s competence, we gained invaluable experience. This project has strengthened GOMSSB’s commitment to serving the nation and further developed the skills of our dedicated local talent workforce.
With the successful handover of KD LAKSAMANA MUHAMMAD AMIN to the RMN, GOMSSB expresses deep gratitude and pride. This process was more than ship maintenance — it proved what we can achieve with trust, innovation, and collaboration.
GOMSSB hopes this reborn warrior will continue to serve in the RMN’s inventory, ensuring the defense of our maritime readiness. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved for their unwavering support and dedication.
As the RMN posting on the handing over, Grade One also did not post many pictures of the ship itself apart from inside the ship itself and ones from the front of the ship. From the pictures of the model of the ship, one can surmise that most of the work was done on the hull (it was a rehulling after all) and most of the old superstructure remained intact. The aft deck which used to house the Otomat missile launchers is now fitted with a RHIB and a crane to lift it on and off the water. The Aspide SAM launcher which used to be fitted behind the mast and the Oto Breda 40mm cannons had been taken off the ship as well.
I am guessing that installation of the fire control system has not been completed hence the reluctance to give too much publicity to the ship itself.
— Malaysian Defence
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So now it’s just a gunboat?
It has been that way since five years ago and some say 10 years ago. That was the reason the four Laksamanas were among the first to be retired if the 15-to-5 plan did not went off rails.
Meh – ”So now it’s just a gunboat?”
Technically it’s not a ”gunboat” but a corvette. A ”gunboat” would be something like the Vosper PCs or other hulls of smaller displacement intended mainly for a riverine or coastal role.
Yes as far back as 2013 the Laksamanas only had their GPMGs operational. During a visit to Lumut in 2013; noticed the torp tubes from a pair Laksamanas had already been transferred to the Kasturis which were just completing their SLEP. Subjecting the class to a full upgrade was not as seen as a god investment; given its age and other issues.
Tender baru Mindef upgrade avionic program C-130H
Picture of the new KD Laksamana Muhammad Amin and its crew, taken days before the handover
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GVesQtraMAU69Rw.jpg
Not many pictures on the handover day itself due to rain.
so sad laksamana with no aspide SAM and OTOMAT SSM
I am confused. If you go by the the RMN’s own definition in the new 15-5 infographics, the LMS Batch 2 is actually a corvette and this ship, Mohd. Amin 136 would either be a PC or LMS. Go figure.
There is nothing to be confused about the Laksamana when you check with the 15 to 5 plan. As I mentioned in the post, the Laksamanas would have been retired if the plan had not gone haywire.
The RMN struggled to upkeep the laksamanas corvette. How is it a warrior of the seas if almost all the armaments had been taken out. How would it defense itself if it cannot fire the even the deck gun. When the LMS B2 arrived & with the LCS 1 i guess bigger budget will be needed to maintain them or they also would ended up just like the laksamanas. Any news regarding the Mica for lcs? Or lunas has other plans for Sam?
its a corvette class gun boat
aralex – ”its a corvette class gun boat”
It’s a corvette sized ship armed with guns …..
Tom Tom – ”the LMS Batch 2 is actually a corvette and this ship, Mohd. Amin 136 would either be a PC or LMS. ”
You said you were ”confused” before and it was explained to you … Why are you fixated on what’s what? Has it not been explained to you that there’s a very fine dividing line between what’s a ”frigate and ”what’s a ”corvette”; so on and so forth. All depends onn what particular navies want to call their ships.
Qamarul,
It did not “struggle”. Simple. By the mid 2010’s or so the class was already experiencing issues with the hulls and various other things which dated from the 1980’s. Spares was a major issue; plus the condition of the hulls. Rather then subject the whole class to an expensive upgrade which wasn’t seen as worth it, certain steps were taken in order for the class to remain in service to perform certain types of roles.By right the class would have been fitdrvto ve retired but circumstances were such.
If we go back to the very start; the RMN did not wanted the class but a political decision was made. People tend to get mesmerised with how heavily and he’s the ships were but they were all nerves fit operations in a different operational setting. From Day One there were various technical issues which were never resolved and being Italian; the ships had little to no commonality to what we already had.
Qamarul – ”How is it a warrior of the seas”
Apart from yourself who ever described it as such?
Hery – ”so sad laksamana with no aspide SAM and OTOMAT SSM”
Well, both never really worked as intended from Day One … On paper they looked so impressive; a corvette with the firepower of a frigate. Who doesn’t love firepower but the class was very problematic. The Aspide/tracker combo was unreliable; sea keeping was poor; even after certain upgrades the electronics was 1980’s vintage tech; etc, etc.
Marhalim “As I mentioned in the post, the Laksamanas would have been retired if the plan had not gone haywire.”
To be fair it’s not all that bad.
If the plan had not gone haywire then the laksamana and FAC would had been replaced with the Chinese LMS B1.
At least we can install something on the laksamana and FAC compared to the Chinese LMS where our usual list of supplier would refuse to intergrated anything to it. Not to mention it send the wrong signal to other countries while we become a laughing stock to our neighbours netizen as we use Chinese ship to fight the Chinese.
zaft – ”To be fair it’s not all that bad.”
There are quite a few people; including some in the navy who would disagree.
The fact that we had to resort to such a desperate measure is nothing to be proud about or to blow ones trumpet.
zaft – ”At least we can install something on the laksamana and FAC compared to the Chinese LMS where our usual list of supplier would refuse to intergrated anything to it.”
”Install” what exactly? A FCS and electo-optical sight … The LMS Batch 1s have those.
zaft – ”as we use Chinese ship to fight the Chinese.”
Since when were we ”fighting” anyone? By that logic is it alright to use CN-235s to patrol Ambalat and to have deployed Yugoslav mortars with MALBATT to Bosnia?
….and another ship gone, RIP KD pendekar
The Laksamanas will not be replaced by the LMS Batch 1, as they are based in Lumut. The Laksamanas were supposed to be retired once the LCS were available as the ships are to be based in Lumut as well.
Radar dia canggih. Kelvin hughes latest MK5 sharpeye. Solid state tech with mil standard software, ready integrate dgn eofcs.
If I’m wrong; I’m wrong and “…” is right hallelujah but it veered of the runway after landing.Now some might call it a “crash” bit my personal definition of the world does not include something which has landed. Unless it landed and “crashed” into something.
On the numbers; 14 were ordered and I’m not aware of anything else. A total of 14 including the one which veered off the runway at Sibu. We have all the serials. On the missing serial or the anomaly; it’s not unheard of for airframes to be given new serials or serials not to be in sequence.
“The Royal Malaysian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane skidded off the runway Sibu Airport (SBW) on landing and came to rest in the jungle. Unsecured baggage fell on a passenger resulting in fatal head injuries“
” On the numbers; 14 were ordered and I’m not aware of anything else. A total of 14 including the one which veered off the runway at Sibu. We have all the serials ”
No you are also wrong on this
Pictures of every one of them serials
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV4mmuZbQAAsgHV?format=jpg&name=4096×4096
5x of around 1976 vintage (1 crashed, originally 6)
FM2401 – M30-01
FM2402 – M30-02
FM2403 – M30-03 – written-off Aug 1990 (sibu)
FM2404 – M30-04
FM2405 – M30-05
FM2406 – M30-06
3x of around 1980 vintage
FM2451 – M30-07
FM2452 – M30-08
FM2453 – M30-09
1x of around 1990 vintage
M30-10
5x of around 1995 vintage
M30-11
M30-12
M30-14
M30-15
M30-16
(ps. no M30-13 for unknown reasons)
Total of 14 current airframes
Azlan “There are quite a few people; including some in the navy who would disagree.
The fact that we had to resort to such a desperate measure is nothing to be proud about or to blow ones trumpet”
As a taxpayers meanwhile. I (and maybe lots others) really really can’t get behind the idea of buying the navy brand new gun only ship that’s mostly going to do law enforcement and patrol duties.
If anything those ship should be brought under the internal security accounts rather than national defence. Simply because our defense budget per gdp is a wee bit low from the world averages while the internal security cost is a wee bit high that thr World averages
zaft- ”really really can’t get behind the idea of buying the navy brand new gun only ship that’s mostly going to do law enforcement and patrol duties.”
Have you actually got around to understanding the part where the navy has no intention to get ”gun boats”? Do you also understand – told to ‘…’ a few dozen times that until the MMEA is able the only entity able to back it up is the RMN and that like all navies the RMN will always have certain peacetime roles to play.
… – ”No you are also wrong on this”
If I’m wrong so be it but I’m not ”wrong” about the one a Sibu or skidding off the runway. …. As I said : ”.Now some might call it a “crash” bit my personal definition of the world does not include something which has landed. Unless it landed and “crashed” into something.”. Either that or your definition of th word include something which had landed but then veered or skidded … BTW in a 2017 post Msrhalim also described the Sibu example as having ”skidded”.
And yes a total of 14 were delivered. Nobody said otherwise.
“And yes a total of 14 were delivered”
No. Its 15
Count each one of them
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV4mmuZbQAAsgHV?format=jpg&name=4096×4096
Azlan “Have you actually got around to understanding the part where the navy has no intention to get ”gun boats”? Do you also understand – told to ‘…’ a few dozen times that until the MMEA is able the only entity able to back it up is the RMN and that like all navies the RMN will always have certain peacetime roles to play.”
Historically speaking the navy aren’t known for mid life upgrades as seen with The kedah is still without the missile.
Even if we were able to gather fund for an upgrade. The likelihood of any western suppliers agreeing to install anything on the Chinese LMS is almost zero to none.
Other options is to equip it with Chinese made equipment and weapons which would make us a laughing stock of the world. So Even if we acquire 18 of it. the probability of the 18 Chinese LMS to be anything more than a gun only boat is really really low.
Saw a suggestion that suggest the navy to use chinese made LMS/Keris class platform design to replace all RMNs aging FACS.What are your guys take on that.Are Keris Class that bad or RMN need to look elsewhere for the remaining LMS.Maybe go for a ship that have 57/40mm main gun..a 25mm secondary gun and maybe with 2 ssm like TNI AL’s KCR 60/Sampari Class or maybe a lil better like sg’s LMV
@ firdaus
This is my idea
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV0jr0eaUAAOQq4.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV0jvU5boAAZxNx.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV0jzqwbcAAJNhP.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV1WGRfaQAAcprt.jpg
Unlike traditional FACs that is designed to sail near shore areas, the LMS-X is to sail offshore together with TLDM Gowind frigates. The LMS-X has the speed, range, endurance to stay all the time with the Gowinds.
A ship of the same design has patrolled in the harsh Antarctic Ocean thousands of km from the nearest safe harbour for 93 days straight.
https://t.co/r547rld3mJ
“…take on that.” The ship’s overall design looks ok to me.
zaft – ”Historically speaking the navy aren’t known for mid life upgrades as seen with The kedah is still without the missile.”
The info is out there. You just have to take the time and effort to find it’ or to ask.
The navy makes various plans but funding is either not allocated; is delayed or is allocated but is insufficient; plans for a FAC upgrade were made in the 1990’s and almost all ships have received upgrades in one form or another.
… – No. Its 15”
Ok then please provide a source. Given you have a penchant for links; shouldn’t be a problem. Note; not disputing you; merely want a source to confirm the year.
Firdaus – ”Saw a suggestion that suggest the navy to use chinese made LMS/Keris class platform design to replace all RMNs aging FACS.”
This issue has been dealt to death with. The FACs will be gradually replaced as the LMS enter service. The issue with the Batch 1s one is also well known.
” Ok then please provide a source ”
https://www.c-130.net/aircraft-database/C-130/serials-and-inventory/airforce/TUDM/
zaft – ”Other options is to equip it with Chinese made equipment and weapons which would make us a laughing stock of the world. ”
To you maybe but to the world? If we decided to arm it with Chinese stuff; why would anyone laugh?
For me id go for sigma 9112/diponegoro class or a smaller sigma 7311..Or yoon youngha/hayabusa class-like design
… – ”” Ok then please provide a source ”
Sorry I should have made myself clearer. A source on the delivery of the airframe in 1990.
A report or a mention of it being ordered or delivered. Not saying it was never delivered; merely I have mags and press cutting which report the order/deli=very of the initial batch in the 1970’s; the ”MPA” batch in 1980 and the stretched batch in 1996 but not the example from 1990/
From Marhalim himself
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/hercules-belly-lands-labuan/#comment-289795
Off topic
Today TNI-AU retired one of its C-130B hercules A-1303
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GWKO714asAIzjQJ.jpg
The aircraft age?
64 years old. This aircraft is actually younger than the 2 oldest Hercules still active with Republic of Singapore Air Force.
This aircraft is one of ten C-130Bs given to Indonesia for free by the United States in exchange for an imprisoned CIA pilot, Allan Lawrence Pope captured during the 1957–1961 Sulawesi rebellion.
TUDM oldest Hercules will be 64 years old only in 2040, 16 years from now.
@Zaft
“the probability of the 18 Chinese LMS”
Is low to none, its confirmed the next LMS batch is coming from Turkey
… – ”From Marhalim himself”
Well thanks but I did not dispute that an extra airframe was obtained. Merely asked if you had a link which actually reported the order or delivery of that air frame …..