LMS Procurement Shows No Let-Up In Country's Defence Priorities

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The four littoral mission ships (LMS) procured by Malaysia from China are proof that the government is on its toes when it comes to the nation's security. Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief, Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin noted that the move was made despite current economic challenges faced by the country and beyond. "It's a clear testimony of the government not compromising on the matter of the country's defence and security. "The current fleet is not cost-effective and that's why the LMS is a high- priority project," he told Bernama of the acquisition announced Tuesday by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is currently on a six-day official visit to China. Ahmad Kamarulzaman said this also fitted in with the objective of 'efficiency savings' (ES) by the RMN that would see its armada reconfigured to only five classes of ships from 15. "We'll be consolidating our fleet from 15 to five classes without reducing the numbers or our warfighting capabilities," the navy chief said. The revamped fleet, he said, would comprise the littoral combat ships, submarines, next-generation patrol vessels, LMS and the multi-role support ships. "The outcome of this consolidation strategy is that it will provide us with huge ES," he said, adding that standards and performance would not be compromised. -- BERNAMA