Navy to receive first littoral combat ship in 2025, says Hisham


KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy will receive its first littoral combat ship (LCS) in 2025, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

The minister said he took an inclusive approach by engaging with all the stakeholders such as Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) and Boustead Holdings Bhd to address the issues in the procurement of the LCS.

He said the settlement initiatives outlined two main components, namely, corporate restructuring and fund raising, which also involved discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department.

"Currently, the Defence Ministry is in the final stages of the negotiation to prepare the recovery plan. The workshops involving all the stakeholders for the LCS recovery plan were also held to ensure comprehensive recovery recommendations before bringing these up again to the Cabinet for approval and further action,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2022 at the policy level in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 15).

Hishammuddin said the government had agreed to approve the LCS procurement application under the 10th Malaysian Plan (10MP) and 11MP with the 10-year implementation period from Oct 3, 2013 to Oct 2, 2023.

However, he said as of Oct 31 this year, the work progress for the LCS was at 57.05% compared to the original work plan schedule of 96.57%.

Overall, the procurement experienced a delay of 39.52% or equivalent to 43 months, he added.

To a question from M. Karupaiya (PH-Padang Serai) on the increased cost of the LCS due to the procurement delay, Hishammuddin assured that the government would not pay more than the sum agreed with Boustead. - Bernama

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Nation

Autistic girl who allegedly stabbed schoolmate remanded four days
Over 50,000 workers received wage hikes over 10% under PWP, says HR Ministry
PETRONAS dividends make up only 5% or 6% of Federal Govt revenue, says Finance Ministry
Cops seek public's help to find 17-year-old girl missing since Sunday in Ukay Heights
Cops call on public for help to find missing boy in Ampang
Domestic violence registry being mulled to track repeat offenders, hear Parliament
Total of 163 government projects cancelled or deferred since 2018, says Finance Ministry
Johor polls: Clear skies mark start of early voting
Cops seeking witnesses to fatal hit-and-run on Kajang highway
AirBorneo opens ticket sales for Kuala Lumpur route

Others Also Read