Navy to acquire RM400mil's worth of fast interceptor craft, choppers

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is expected to acquire several new assets in its arsenal, including 18 fast interceptor craft (FIC) and three maritime operation helicopters, says Admiral Datuk Mohd Reza Mohd Sany.

The RMN chief said the FIC and the helicopters cost more than RM400mil and the Navy would receive them in stages.

"We are in the process of signing the contracts with the relevant parties to ensure that we will be able to acquire the assets as soon as possible.

"We will acquire suitable assets as and when the need arises, but it also depends on the country's financial capabilities," he told a special press conference at Wisma Pertahanan on Tuesday (July 23).

The FIC, according to Admiral Mohd Reza, will be able to strengthen the country's maritime security.

"It is fast and able to go to areas where other bigger ships and vessels cannot not. For example, on shallow water.

"It will be able to intercept hostile ships of vessels faster. The FIC will be placed on the east coast of Sabah," he said.

Meanwhile, the maritime operation helicopters were more of a utility aircraft to transport personnel, especially the the Navy Special Squad (Paskal), he added.

Admiral Mohd Reza also said the littoral mission ships (LMS) project in China was running smoothly, with the first two ships expected to be completed next year.

"The ships will be placed in Kota Kinabalu to boost coastal security," he said.

The responsibility of maintaining and ensuring all of the Navy's assets are operational was immense, he added.

"Conducting constant exercises are important to ensure our preparedness is optimum.

"Daily duties of maintaining the assets is equally important. I empathise with some of personnel, who have to be out at sea for up to 260 days a year to keep our waters safe," Admiral Mohd Reza said.