Turkish shipyard to build multi-purpose mission vessel for Malaysia Coast Guard

Malaysia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Türkiye for the procurement of a multi-purpose mission ship (MMPS) which will be built for the Malaysia Coast Guard (Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency).

As disclosed, the MoU was signed at Seri Perdana Complex, Putrajaya, on February 11, 2025. The vessel will be built by Turkish Desan Shipyard as a strategic step to strengthen the Malaysian defense and maritime enforcement capabilities.

The ship, which will boast a length of 99 meters, is designed to operate non-stop for up to 30 days. It will be equipped with modern assets such as four fast interceptor boats (FIC), two unmanned aerial drones (UAVs), a helideck, medical facilities, and a detention center.

The vessel will be able to accommodate a crew of 70 members and carry up to 30 passengers. It will play a vital role in addressing critical issues in the region, including the invasion of foreign vessels, illegal fishing, and cross-border crimes like smuggling and human trafficking.

Maritime Director-General Malaysia, Maritime Admiral Datuk Haji Mohd Rosli bin Abdullah said that “the decision is addressing the increasingly complex maritime security challenges in the country”.

In June last year, Türkiye’s shipbuilding company STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. (STM) received a deal to build three corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy. The vessels will be constructed in Türkiye within the scope of the Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2 (LMSB2) Project.

The ships will be 99.56 meters long, with a beam of 14.42 meters and a displacement of 2,500 tons. LMSs can be tasked with a wide range of duties including ASUW, AAW, asymmetric warfare (ASYW), and EW.