KD Jebat frigate class vessel docked at the Porto Malai, Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Lekiu class |
| Builders: | Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow, UK |
| Operators: | Royal Malaysian Navy |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | F2000 |
| Displacement: | 2,270 tons full load |
| Length: | 106 metres |
| Beam: | 12.75 metres |
| Draught: | 3.08 metres |
| Propulsion: | Main Propulsion: 4 x MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesel engines, 24.5MW, Twin shafts with Kamewa controllable pitch propellers |
| Speed: | 28 kts |
| Range: | 5000 nm |
| Complement: | 146 with 18 officers |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
Combat System: BAE Systems Insyte Nautis F combat data system |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
ESM: BAE Mentor-A |
| Armament: |
Guns : 1 x Bofors 57mm/70 Dual Purpose Guns A position |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 x Super Lynx 300 |
The Lekiu class frigates are presently the most modern major assets of the Royal Malaysian Navy. The class comprised two vessels, F29 KD Jebat and F30 KD Lekiu. The class is named after the second ship of the class which was launched earlier than the Jebat.
The ships were built in the UK by Yarrow Shipbuilders of Glasgow (now BAE Systems Surface Ships) from the company's standard F2000 light frigate design. The Lekiu was launched in December 1994 while the Jebat was launched in May 1995. The Jebat carries the lower pennant number (F 29) to signify the seniority of this ship, which accommodates the Admiral of the Royal Malaysian Navy. (Hang Jebat succeeded Hang Tuah as Laksamana (Admiral) during the Melaka Sultanate, while Hang Lekiu was never made a Laksamana.)
The purchase of the two ships of the Lekiu class involved a major Transfer of Technology programme as well as an off set programme where some portion of the contract value would involve purchases and services contracted to Malaysian companies.
Delivery and operational status were delayed due to integration of combat systems problems. Both ships were commissioned in March and May 1999. The ships was a huge jump in capability compared to the frigates then operated by the Royal Malaysian Navy, the F24 KD Rahmat and F76 KD Hang Tuah (ex-HMS Mermaid).
Both F29 KD Jebat and F30 KD Lekiu serve in the 23 Frigate Squadron of the Royal Malaysian Navy [1]
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The Lekiu class faced serious delays due to difficulties in the systems integrations of the weapons and weapons control system (i.e., software problems). These problems were eventually overcome and the delivery and commissioning of the two ships was completed in 7 October and 10 November 1999.
Malaysian Minister of Defence Najib Tun Razak announced at the 2006 Farnborough Air Show that Malaysia would be buying two frigates from the United Kingdom under Project Brave. [2] The Evening Times reported on 20 July 2006 that the Clyde shipyard has won a contract to build two Jebat [sic] class warships for Malaysia. [3] [4]
The two ships were to have been completed at Sabah Shipyard as a condition of the deal, but were cancelled in August 2009.
The three Nakhoda Ragam Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) ordered by Brunei were built from the same basic BAE F2000 design, though lighter and configured differently from the Lekius. Brunei refused to take delivery of the vessels of this class due to a dispute; although it was suggested Malaysia acquire the three, they remain laid up at Barrow-in-Furness awaiting a buyer.