SHAH ALAM: Defence Minister DSU Muhamad Hasan said today that the first LCS – PCU Maharaja Lela – will be completed in the third quarter of 2024. This was the second time that the Defence Minister – who one month ago said he did not enough about the project to comment on it – had stated that the ship will be ready in 2024. He had said this in an unscripted remark at the new year message ceremony at Wisma Pertahanan last week. His predecessor stated before that the first ship will be ready in 2025.
Today, he reiterated that the ship will be ready following a visit to the Lumut naval base. From Sinar Daily:
LUMUT – The Defence Ministry is satisfied with the recent status of the littoral combat ship (LCS) project with one of six ships expected to be ready next year, says its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Mohamad said his visit to the Malaysian Navy Base on Monday found the ships’ development was within the stipulated timeframe and in stages, following the appropriate capabilities.
“The first ship is at 70 per cent (completion). There was only one block that was missing for it to be complete, so it would not take much time. The engine parts, propellers, and gearboxes were installed; only the electrical equipment and the weapons remained.
“I am confident the first ship will be done by 2024 before its seaworthiness is tested and then commissioned,” he said in a press conference after his visit on Monday.
Muhamad visited Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) as part of his two-day visit to the Lumut naval base. He was briefed on the LCS project by BNS CEO Azhar Jumaat. Note that the 70 per cent completion of Maharaja Lela as stated by the Defence Minister is much higher than it was reported previously. It is unclear whether this means that BNS had managed to do some work on the ship when it was announced that the mobilisation phase had started.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (41)
He is confident doesn't mean he is sure. Again politicians talk from the hip, whether they can be trusted is another thing. After all, Anwar had firmly said he will scrap LCS and go for another if he became PM so what is this now.
I only have this to say... Tuk Mat is a hard driver when he wants things to happen. Being a long-time NS resident I have seen this happen before. But only on 'projects' that catches his eye.
@Taib
Then he shouldn't have forced KJ to pass him his seat candidacy...
Taib - "I only have this to say… Tuk Mat is a hard driver when he wants things to happen"
"I only have this to say…" What the Defence Minister can't or can do is ultimately dependent on overall policy. Even if "he wants things to happen" it will only be possible if the his boss or the cabinet agree to it.
The defence Minister doesn't drive or make policy. Handling state affairs and handling national affairs which cost billions and have huge political impact are two very profoundly different things. Anwar could not afford to scrap the programme because of the political implications.
I don't know what to say. Although I support the project moving forward, the individuals responsible for this delay should not get a slap on the wrist.
2024…..could be 31st December 2024. Still 2 years away..
But this is neither happy nor good news since in an earlier statement he claims that only 4 out of the original 6 and now 5 frigates can be completed. Which leaves the question of what now? Are four(6 if we include the 2 lekius)frigates enough for us to defend our waters in the future? And even if and once the LMS batch II's set sail will RMN once more be on par with our neighbors? I'm slightly doubtful of our capabilities in the coming decades despite the possibility of a naval conflict happening in our waters unlikely at the moment.
"After all, Anwar had firmly said he will scrap LCS and go for another if he became PM so what is this now."
--> I guess the Navy convinced him otherwise, and probably a new tender would take more time and more funds(?). The Navy is desperately short of boats/ships already, I suppose they will take whatever they can.
"Tuk Mat is a hard driver when he wants things to happen"
--> Here's hoping that he will drive hard to improve the Navy's situation. The Army is more or less doing OK for now IMO, it's the Navy and the AF that needs attention now
It will be very embarrassing if the LCSs are displayed at LIMA in the future. It’s a symbol of incompetence and an overblown and much delayed project. Got 4 or 5 out of 6 for a much higher price. I won’t be showing off the LCS!
Anwar right now cannot do much, as he is now the PMX because of the support of the very same people that did all the LCS Gowind shenanigans.
Money and time lost cannot be possibly recouped. The least possible outcome from this should be that RMN got all the ships that was ordered for them in the first place.
Yes i know... banana tree fruiting twice. Nothing much PMX can do about this, but hopefully he will start the fundamental changes that will prevent the same thing from occuring trice...
To the new PTL, hoping to see a new plan rather than the unworkable 15 to 5. Have a future plan that does not think the MMEA is in a separate multiverse than RMN.