KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 — The country’s first littoral combat ship (LCS) which is scheduled for completion next year will have to undergo operational testing for 22 to 24 months before commissioning, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The operational testing involved two assessments, namely harbour and sea trials. The habour trial was conducted to test the ship’s buoyancy and maneuverability.
“After the harbour trial, this ship will have to undergo operational testing at sea which takes between 22 and 24 months, before it can be commissioned.
“So when we say it is ready, it means the ship has undergone the harbour and sea trials,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Lumut MP Nordin Ahmad Ismail, about the actual total cost of the LCS project after the procurement of the first batch of LCS was reduced from six to five ships during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
On the LCS project progress, Mohamad said the installation of defence gear, weapons, and electronics was currently taking place on the ship.
“Other parts such as the gearboxes, shafts and propellers are there (have been installed),” he said.
Commenting on the procurement of the LCS main weapon system, Mohamad said the ministry obtained the surface-to-surface missiles directly from the original equipment manufacturer.
“So far, the procurement is carried out as planned. As for the procurement of surface-to-air missiles, it has not yet taken place and depends on the LCS procurement direction,” he said.
— Bernama
