SHAH ALAM: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) wants the government to solve the issues surrounding the Littoral Combat Ship. According to Bernama, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) hopes the government will be able to solve contractual issues regarding the procurement of six littoral combat ships (LCSs) because of the importance of maintaining sufficient assets for the country’s defence forces.
Navy Chief, Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany said RMN hopes the government, through the Defence Ministry, will ensure the project continues in its effort to ensure Navy assets are always at the ready to defend the country’s sovereignty against enemy threats.
“As we all know, the Navy faces a severe lack of assets. I am told that this issue will be discussed at the Cabinet-level at the soonest time possible before a decision is made about the (LCS’ contract’s) direction,” he said at a press conference after officiating the K.D Peladok’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) 1/2020 Series Diploma Programme Convocation at the M. Sidek Shabudin Auditorium, RMN naval base in Lumut on Thursay (20 October, 2020).
He touched on the LCS project issue after the Defence Ministry said it considering ending the contract with the company responsible for supplying the six Navy assets after the first ship was not delivered on time. According to the original schedule, LCS 1 was supposed to be handed over in April 2019 but to date, none have been delivered.
While the report has given us some inkling of whats going on behind the scene it does not indicate anything on what will happen. As you are aware the Defence Ministry has stated that it was looking at three options on how to proceed with the project: the first one to cancel the project, get Naval Group to become the lead in the project and the last one to get BNS to do it.
Based on the report above, the RMN is clearly saying dont cancel it but it did no say anything on how it would like the project to go on.
–Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (42)
What could have been..one thing for certain, pership price will skyrocket or worse we will only get 2 ship with rm6 bill already paid ( if lucky ) making it one of the most expensive light frigate around..sigh Malaysiaku
Not to mention RM1 bill already paid to BNS that goes missing without a trace..What a farce
Since the politicians used the narrative of “national interest” to build our warships locally, then they should proceed no matter what with the “national interest” strategy. Unless you can cancel “national interest”.
I think its better to proceed it because right now the 5th hull already in building progress.
No matter what is the option and path to be taken, the most important thing is at the end of the day (or should I say by 2025), TLDM will get the 6 ASW Frigates that it set out to get. Getting less or none at all is IMO not an option.
Also better to get Naval Group to solve this LCS delays.
off topic
If Naval Group gets it right (ehem, they do have gorgeous translators... 😁), there will be 2 more nations that will use the Scorpenes, both of them our immediate neighbours.
Reply
AFAIK they always used English in negotiations so there's never a need to use translators
National interest means to keep the intetest of the nation in everything we do. But just spraying money for the sake of national interest is not really for national interest. Imagine how much covid 19 vaccines can an additional 4 billion buy?. Or how many hospitals can be built?. Thats national interest.
A contract has been signed. The contractor must comply with the contract. No more money yo be given to them to finish the project. If need be just appoint the designers to complete the built renting the yard from Boustead.
@ marhalim
Its a joke BTW, why i put the smiley there...
It’s expected that the RMN would say what it did. The 6 multi role combatants are needed urgently and the government should make its decision ASAP.
The delay in the programme has repercussions for the RMN which beyond not getting 6 multi role combatants which are intended to be its main surface combatants. Delays there will impact other areas.