The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has requested $2.9bn in funding under the 11th Malaysia Plan 2016-2020 for 36 programmes, which are anticipated to boost the capabilities of the RMN in coming years, says a report by Strategic Defence Intelligence (SDI).
Titled ‘Future of the Malaysian Defense Industry – Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2021‘, the report provides insights of the Malaysian defence strategies.
Malaysia’s major acquisition programmes include the construction of eight missile corvettes, six anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters and small boats, as well as the replacement of outdated missiles and torpedoes.
The RMN has already placed an order with the South Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for six missile surface corvettes, to be delivered from 2018 onwards.
Additionally, the funding will also support the procurement of six Second-Generation Patrol Vessel-Littoral Combat Ships (SGPV-LCS) being built by Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS). The SGPVs are based on the Gowind-class corvette designed by French shipbuilding company DCNS. The first ship is scheduled to enter service in 2019.
Malaysia imported two submarines, 40 SM-39 Block 2 torpedoes and 30 Black Shark torpedoes and is anticipated to continue with its modernisation and procurement plans to safeguard its coastal waters and exclusive economic zone.
