KUALA LUMPUR: Construction of the five littoral combat ships (LCS) has reached 80.72% completion as of Sept 25, 9.19 percentage points behind the scheduled target of 89.91%, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (Lunas) had also claimed RM8.96bil so far, or 79.82% of the project's total contract value of RM11.227bil.
The latest figures were disclosed in a parliamentary written reply to Datuk Seri Madius Tangau (PH-Tuaran), who sought updates on the physical and financial progress of the five vessels, their delivery schedules and the replacement of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system.
According to Khaled, all five ships are being constructed simultaneously, although each is at a different stage of completion.
"As of Sept 25, the first vessel, LCS1, had reached 86.78% completion, followed by LCS2 at 82.76% and LCS3 at 75.84%.
"Progress on LCS4 and LCS5 stood at 65.48% and 56.82%, respectively," he said in the reply published on Monday (Oct 26).
Under the revised delivery schedule submitted by Lunas, he said the first vessel is expected to be handed over in April next year, followed by the second in August and the third in December.
The remaining two vessels are scheduled for delivery in August 2028 and April 2029, respectively, he added.
Khaled said the first vessel, KD Maharaja Lela, had entered the shipyard-level sea trial phase conducted by Lunas to test and verify systems performance and functionality before undergoing sea acceptance trials with the Royal Malaysian Navy.
"The vessel previously underwent several harbour acceptance trials and preliminary voyages to test its main systems, including machinery, power generation and propulsion," he said.
On the replacement of the NSM system, Khaled said three surface-to-surface missile options proposed by the Navy were in the final stages of evaluation.
"The assessment takes into account operational requirements, compatibility with the ships, cost implications and procurement timelines.
"A final decision will be made once an option has been agreed upon and the procurement agreement is signed.
"The Defence Ministry remains committed to continuously monitoring the implementation of the LCS project to ensure that the construction, testing and delivery of the vessels are successfully carried out in accordance with the stipulated requirements," Khaled said.
He added that this was necessary to safeguard the Navy's operational interests and national security.
Iin a separate parliamentary written reply, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said stated that the government remained open to considering a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) or other appropriate mechanisms if deemed necessary in the public interest.
Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) had asked if the government intended to establish RCIs into Felda and the LCS project following the tabling of the report on Tabung Haji.
Azalina said the establishment of an RCI was governed by the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950.
She said any proposal to investigate alleged irregularities in the management of public funds would be considered in accordance with legal procedures, taking into account relevant facts, findings and developments arising from ongoing investigations by the authorities.
