The Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) biggest landing craft the KD Sri Inderapura, which caught fire recently, will be replaced by a new landing craft, according to the defence minister.

The vessel was destroyed in a fire caused by a short circuit at the Lumut naval base in northern Perak state.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the ship could no longer be used, so a replacement must to be found.

“It should be done through a open tender. To refurbish it would take 36 to 60 months,” he said.

The fire was started by a short circuit on board the vessel, which was carrying 77 personnel, including six officers and 22 trainees. There were no fatalities.

The 40-year-old ship was one of three Malaysian navy vessels to assist in anti-piracy operations deployed in the Gulf of Aden in 2008.