Weapons File III - Laksamana class FSG

Displacement : 675 tons full load
Dimensions : 62.3m (length) x 9.3m (width) x 2.8m (draught)
Propulsion : 4 x MTU 20V diesels, 4 shafts.
Power output : 20,400bhp; 36 knots
Endurance : 2,300nm @ 18 knots
Electronics : RAN 12L/X surface/air search radar, Kelvin Hughes 1007 nav radar, IPN-S command and control system, two NA21 FC systems, DARDO FC system, INS-3 radar interceptor, TQN-2 radar jammer, two OTO Melara 105mm decoy dispensers, ASO 94-41 hull sonar.
Armament : 6 x OTOMAT Teseo Mk II anti-ship missiles, 1 x four-cell Albatros SAM launcher (with 8 reloads), 1 x OTO Melara Super Rapid 76/62 76mm DP gun, 1 x single Otobreda 40mm L/70 AA gun, 2 x triple ILAS-3 324mm Torpedo tubes for Whitehead A244/S ASW torpedoes
Crew : 56
Ships : Laksamana Hang Nadim (134) [ex-Khalid ibn Al-Walid], Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil (135) [ex-Saad bin Abi Waqqas], Laksamana Muhammad Amin (136) [ex-Abdullah ibn Abi Serh], Laksamana Tan Pusmah (137) [ex-Salahuddin Al-Ayoubi].

The Laksamana (literally ‘Admiral’) class fast missile corvettes are the second class of ships brought from Italy (the first ships are the ‘Mahamiru’ (Lerici) class MCMVs). The Laksamanas are originally Iraqi ‘Assad’ class FSGs ordered from Fincantieri. They were however not delivered to the Iraqi Navy following sanctions imposed by the UN because of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The ships remain languished at Genoa until a contract was signed between the Malaysian Government and Fincantieri in 1995 for the supply of two of the hulls; the other two was purchased in 1997. The ships are delivered in two batches in 1997 and 1999. Some specific features were modified and refitted to suit TLDM’s needs. The Laksamanas are broadly similar to the Libyan Wadi M’ragh and the Ecuadorian Navy’s Esmeraldas class corvettes.

The ships pack a mighty punch for a small hull. The OTOMAT anti-ship missiles have Over-the-horizon range enabling it to engage ships hidden by the horizon. It will be assisted in this task by the Super Lynx helicopters of No. 502 Squadron which provides OTH data and mid-course correction. The anti-air weaponry are superior to the larger Kasturi class and even surpasses the Lekius (which have the shorter-ranged Sea Wolf missiles). There are unconfirmed talks that these ships will remove their ASW suite (sonars and torpedoes) in order to improve the ASW capabilities of the Kasturi class corvettes / light frigates.

The ships are named after admirals (more accurately, minister of defence) of the old Malay sultanates. The ships are currently serving in the 24th corvette squadron.

Weapons File II - Kasturi class FSG / FFL

Displacement : 1,900 tons full load
Dimensions : 97.3m (length) x 11.3m (width) x 3.5m (draught)
Propulsion : 4 diesels, 2 shafts
Power Output : 21,460hp; 28 knots
Armament : 8 x MBDA MM40 Exocet Block II Anti-ship missiles, 1 x Giat 100mm DP gun, 1 x Bofors SAK Mk1 57mm DP gun, 2 x twin Emerlec 30mm AA guns, 1 x Bofors 375mm ASW RL
Aviation : helicopter landing pad aft; no hangar.
Crew : 124

Ships : Kasturi (25), Lekir (26)

These two corvettes, sometimes classified as light frigates were ordered from Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werf AG (HDW), Germany and were delivered in 1984. A general-purpose design, they are equipped with anti-submarine and anti-surface weaponry. Anti-air capability is somewhat weak as they are only equipped with guns for this task. Originally, the Kasturis were equipped with four MM38 Exocet AShMs. These have been replaced by the more advanced MM40 Exocet, with subsequent increase in firepower (more missiles) and range. The Kasturis are assigned to the 22nd Corvette Squadron.

They are named after two of Hang Tuah’s five companions – Hang Lekir and Hang Kasturi.

Weapons File I - Lekiu class FFG

Lekiu-class (Yarrow Type F2000) Guided-Missile Frigate

Displacement : 2,270 tons (full load)
Dimensions : 106m (length) x 12.75m (width) x 3.08m (draught)
Propulsion : 4 MTU CODAD, 2 shafts
Power Output : 16,650hp, 30 knots
Range : 5,000 nautical miles at 14 knots
Electronics : Sea Giraffe surface search radar, DA08 air search radar, Racal Decca navigation radar, Type 1802SW fire control radar, Mentor 2V1 ESM suite, Telegon 10 comm ESM, Scimitar ECM, Type V3001 thermal imager, Type 2400 optronic weapons director, Nautis II combat data system, TSM 2633 LF hull sonar, Sea Siren towed torpedo decoy, Super Barricade chaff dispenser.
Armament : 8 x MBDA MM40 Exocet Block II anti-ship missiles, 16 x MBDA GWS.26 VL Sea Wolf SAM, 1 Bofors SAK Mk2 57mm DP gun, 2 MSI 30mm AA, 2 x triple 324mm ILAS-3 torpedo tubes for Whitehead A244/S ASW torpedoes.
Aviation : Flight deck aft with hangar. Designed to support Agusta-Westland Super Lynx ASW helicopter.
Crew : 138
Ships : KD Lekiu (30), KD Jebat (29)

These two frigates, which are sometimes known as FFG30 class are TLDMs most modern ships in the fleet. KD Lekiu was launched at the Glasgow shipyards of Yarrow Shipbuilders in December 1994, followed by KD Jebat in May 1995 – which explains why the class is known as ‘Lekiu-class’ despite Jebat having the lower pennant number. The ships however faced difficulties in integrating the various systems and were only commissioned into TLDM in March and May 1999.

The ships are named after two of the famed Malaccan heroes, Hang Lekiu and Hang Jebat – part of the legendary Hang Tuah’s posse. With the commissioning of the Lekiu-class, all members of that posse has been honoured by TLDM. KD Hang Tuah (F76) however, has been relegated to the training role. The ships are grouped in the 23rd Frigate Squadron.