SHAH ALAM: RMN has handed over its youngest Perdana-class FAC – KD Ganyang pennant number 3504 – to MSET Shipyard in Kuala Terengganu to undergo the Obsolescence Programme (OP). The handing over was done on April 12, RMN said in a social media post.
The OP programme is an initiative undertaken by the RMN to allow the FAC fleet – 14 strong from three different classes – to continue in service for the next 15 years. The first FAC to undergo the OP is KD Perkasa, pennant number 3511. Perkasa is the second of the four strong Handalan class, bought from Sweden in 1976 and commissioned three years later.
Work on Perkasa started at the Geliga Shipyard in Kemaman in late 2020 but the completion was delayed due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The FAC had undergone sea trials in January this year, but its current status, is unknown. It may well be that the ship is ready to return to service soon.
Like Perkasa, Ganyang is expected to have a new hull, powerpack, propellors and generators as part of the OP. Other items including its main gun will be retained. It is interesting to note that most of the Jerong class had only gone through the repowering (replacement of the power pack, propellors and generators) instead of the complete OP like the Perkasa.
It is interesting to note that Ganyang had been fitted with an EO turret as reported by Malaysian Defence on December 26, 2020. Perhaps, it is the same EO one as fitted on KD Gempita.
Anyhow, MSET is the same shipyard that was contracted to do the same OP for KD Sri Sabah and KD Sri Sarawak. The status of both ships remained unknown since Malaysian Defence post on it last February.
— Malaysian Defence
Given that it seem RMN would get 5 LCS and 3 LMS by 2030 plus the currently 4 LMS that equates to 12 new ships, theoretically we can get the remaining 5 LMS and probably 3-5 LCS by 2040, but we might not even have enough newish big sized ships (1000 tones and above) by 2050 (plan is 42 combatant ships) at the current rate as by that time we are replacing not just FACs but also Kedahs and Laksamanas. As the LMS batch 2 each costs almost usd200 million as armed corvette (that might replace Kedahs in future surprise surprise), will RMN purchase cheaper version of LMS for example a gun only LMS with lower spec equipment in the future or even go to a cheaper hull to be able to get more number of ships in a shorter time frame?
For the OP program
hull replacement
1) laksamana class – KD Laksamana Muhammad Amin (Grade one marine, should be ready and on the water 2023)
2) handalan class – KD Perkasa (Geliga slipway, should be ready and on the water 2023)
3) perdana clas – KD Ganyang (just started OP 2023, MSET)
**CMS replacement only
1) handalan class – KD Gempita (AMOCS)
Repowering (all AFAIK with Cummins QSK50, 3x for jerong class, 4x for perdana class)
1) KD Baung (Weldan marine 2020)
2) KD Ganas (Shin Yang 2020)
3) KD Todak (Weldan marine 2020)
4) KD Serang (Preston Shipyard 2020)
5) KD Jerong (Weldan marine 2021)
6) KD Yu (Weldan marine 2022)
7) KD Pari (Preston shipyard 2022)
8) KD Paus (Labuan Shipyard 2022)
Basically all the Jerong class FAC(G) has completed their repowering/refit program, so they are good for 15+ more years (at least to 2035).
From the original plans in 2022, KD Perdana and KD Ganyang should be the next for OP program. Now we know that KD ganyang OP has started, what about KD Perdana’s turn?
Is all the Laksamana corvettes and Handalan FAC going to be put through the OP program?
How much did the navy save doing the OP project? new hull+new engines+new internals with just a few weapons and hardware carried over is basically a brand new ship all except its name.
Luqman – “will RMN purchase cheaper version of LMS for example a gun only LMS with lower spec equipment”.
The RMN has no intention to get any such ships.
… – “basically a brand new ship all except its name.”
We often hear this claim but from what I was told from a former NO on one of the FACs; no. Certain issues will still remain notwithstanding the fact that various things have been replaced/rectified.
“a gun only LMS with lower spec equipment in the future or even go to a cheaper hull to be able to get more number of ships in a shorter time frame?”
Get more number of ships with cheaper hull – to fulfill what missions?
“Certain issues will still remain”
IMO, if the issue is stuff and capability that is no longer there (like the missile capability), not equipped for (modern radar or CMS) or the inherent design (FAC and Corvette design was not meant for rough seas) yes of course it will forever be an issue with the ships notwithstanding if most of the ship is now brand new. As they are right now, they can be considered as gun equipped patrol boats that are refitted/rebuilt to as new condition.
@Luqman
“gun only LMS with lower spec equipment in the future”
It might be if the LMS1 modular payload concept had taken off. As it is, that upgradability flexibility promise remains unfulfilled so I think TLDM have gotten burnt and would want a fully fitted out ship ever since. They need hulls but from the 15to5 Plan it doesn’t need a 1to1 ship replacement for the FAC & PC, they want a certain number of vessels in the size appropriate to the fit out and types of operation intended to do.
@hulubalang
“How much did the navy save doing the OP project?”
In a way, lots. TLDM doesn’t have to touch their CAPEX money which is save for truly brand new stuff while they get to use their quite unutilised OPEX budget to refresh existing fleet for next couple decades as temporary while waiting the new ships arrival.
“no longer there (like the missile capability)”
Most of those capabilities were aleready gone by the time they got into refurb. If you see the intent of the OP its not meant to bring new capabilities or even bring back old/lost functions back to the ship. The program is to keep current ships in their current operation capacities for the next 10-15 years and for some that meant guns only with minimal system upgrades (EO turret & local CMS to replace obsoleted ones).
However once TLDM got their fleet back to operational numbers needed, I’m hoping they could continue the program to fully arm the Kedahs at least up to LMS2 levels as I expect it to be specced.
… – ” As they are right now, they can be considered as gun equipped patrol boats that are refitted/rebuilt to as new condition”
You certaintly think/assume so but like I said; this is not the case according to people who have personal experience with them. Issues still remain despite all the new stuff and I was clearly not referring to inherent issues with the designs which makes them unsuitable for protected patrols in the EEZ.