Royal Malaysian Navy - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is the naval arm of Malaysian Armed Forces. All commissioned ships of the RMN have the prefix KD (in Malay, Kapal Diraja), which means Royal Ship.

Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve

The Royal Malaysian Navy can trace its roots to the formation of the Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve (SSNVR) in Singapore

Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...

on 27 April 1934 by the British colonial government

British Empire

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...

in Singapore. The SSNVR was formed to assist the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

in the defence of Singapore

Battle of Singapore

The Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of the Second World War when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. Singapore was the major British military base in Southeast Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East"...

, upon which the defence of the Malay Peninsula

Malay Peninsula

The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland...

was based. Another reason behind its formation were political developments in Asia, particularly a Japan that was increasingly assertive in Asia

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was a concept created and promulgated during the Shōwa era by the government and military of the Empire of Japan. It represented the desire to create a self-sufficient "bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western powers"...

. In 1938, the SSNVR was expanded with a branch in Penang

Penang

Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...

.

On 18 January 1935, the British Admiralty

Admiralty

The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...

presented Singapore with an Acacia class

Acacia class sloop

The Acacia class was a class of twenty-four sloops that were ordered in January 1915 under the Emergency War Programme for the Royal Navy in World War I as part of the larger "Flower Class", which were also referred to as the "Cabbage Class", or "Herbaceous Borders"...

sloop, HMS Laburnum, to serve as the Reserve's Headquarters and drill ship. It was berthed at the Telok Ayer Basin. HMS Laburnum was sunk in February 1942, prior to the capitulation of Singapore at the beginning of the Pacific Second World War.

With the outbreak of the Second World War in Europe, the SSNVR increased the recruitment of mainly indigenous personnel into the force, to beef up local defences as Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

resources were required in Europe.

Members of the SSNVR were called up to active duty, and the force was augmented by members of the Royal Navy Malay Section. This formed the basis of the navy in Malaya, called the Malay Navy, manned by indigenous Malay

Malay people

Malays are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, including the southernmost parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations...

personnel (similarly, the Malays were recruited into the fledgling Malay Regiment

Royal Malay Regiment

The Royal Malay Regiment is the premier unit of the Malaysian Army's two infantry regiments. At its largest, the Malay Regiment comprised 27 battalions. At present, two battalions are parachute trained and form part of the Malaysian Army Rapid Deployment Force...

formed in 1936). The Malay Navy had a strength of 400 men who received their training at HMS Pelandok, the Royal Navy training establishment in Malaya. Recruitment was increased and in 1941 at the outbreak of the war in Asia, the Malay Navy had a strength of 1450 men.

Throughout the Second World War, the Malay Navy served with the Allied Forces in the Indian and Pacific theater of operations. When the war ended with the Japanese Surrender in 1945, only 600 personnel of the Malay Navy reported for muster. Post war economic constraints saw the disbandment of the Malay Navy in 1947.

Post World War II – Formation of the Malayan Naval Force

The Malay Navy was reactivated on 24 December 1948 at the outbreak of the Malayan Emergency

Malayan Emergency

The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....

, the Communist-inspired insurgent war against the British Colonial government. The Malayan Naval Force regulation was officially gazetted on 4 March 1949 by the colonial authorities, and was based at an ex-Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...

radio base station in Woodlands, Singapore

Woodlands, Singapore

Woodlands, or the Woodlands New Town , is a suburban town in northern Singapore, part of the North West Community Development Council district...

. The base was initially called the 'MNF Barracks' but later renamed HMS Malaya. The Malayan RNVR was reconstituted as a joint force comprising the Singapore Division and the Federation Division, by an Ordinance passed in Singapore in 1952.

The main mission of the Malayan Naval Force (MNF) was coastal patrol in order to stop the communist terrorists from receiving supplies from the sea. In addition, the Force was tasked with guarding the approaches to Singapore and other ports.

The MNF was firstly equipped with a River class

River class frigate

The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic....

frigate, HMS Test, which was used as a training ship. By 1950, the MNF fleet had expanded to include ex-Japanese minelayer, HMS Laburnum, Landing Craft Tank (LST) HMS Pelandok ("Mousedeer"), motor fishing vessel HMS Panglima ("Marshal"), torpedo recovery vessel HMS Simbang and several seaward defence motor launches

Harbour Defence Motor Launch

The Harbour Defence Motor Launch was a British small motor vessel of the Second World War.The HDML was designed by W J Holt at the Admiralty in early 1939. During the war, 486 HDMLs were constructed, mainly by yacht builders, in the United Kingdom and a number of other allied countries...

(SDML).

"Royal" Title

In August 1952, Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...

, bestowed the title "Royal Malayan Navy" to the Malayan Naval Force in recognition of the sterling service in action during the Malayan Emergency.

Independence

Malaya

Federation of Malaya

The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...

, soon after attaining independence on 31 August 1957, had successfully negotiated with the British Government and had the British Royal Malayan Navy transferred to the independent Federation of Malaya

Federation of Malaya

The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...

on 12 July 1958. With the hoisting of the Federation naval ensign - the White Ensign modified by the substitution of the Union Flag

Union Flag

The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...

with the Federation flag in the canton - the RMN was thus made responsible for Malaya's maritime self defence.

From then on it became Malayan owned and administered. The designation "Royal" in Royal Malayan Navy was now in reference to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Yang di-Pertuan Agong

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....

, who became the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces

Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces

The Supreme Commander or Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces is the highest ranking office in the command structure of the Malaysian military. The office dates to the 1957 creation of the Malay federation. Its current role, duties and powers are regulated by the Constitution of...

. All ships, facilities, and personnel serving in the Royal Malayan Navy were inherited by the Malayan government.

The new force shouldered the responsibility with only an operational and training base at HMMS Malaya and a small coastal fleet of one LCT, two Ham class

Ham class minesweeper

The Ham class was a class of inshore minesweepers , known as the Type 1, of the British Royal Navy. The class was designed to operate in the shallow water of rivers and estuaries. It took its name from the fact that all the ship names were British place names ending in -"ham"...

minesweepers, one coastal minelayer, and seven MLs (the ex-RN 200th Patrol Squadron) on transfer from the Royal Navy.

On 16 September 1963 the naval force was renamed the Royal Malaysian Navy, following the formation of Malaysia. The RMN was gradually strengthened after the formation of Malaysia. 18 Keris class patrol boats were ordered from Vosper, and these formed the mainstay of the navy for years to come. These 103 ft (31 m) boats were driven by Maybach diesels and capable of 27 knots (53 km/h). The Keris patrol boats were confined to coastal patrols and had short endurance. An offensive capability was acquired with the purchase of four Vosper Brave class fast attack craft. The Perkasa class Fast Patrol Boats were built for the RMN by Vosper Thorneycroft in 1967, powered by three Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce Limited

Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....

Marine Proteus gas turbines as the main power plant with two diesel auxiliary engines for cruising and manoeuvring. These were armed with four 21 inches (53.3 cm) torpedoes, one Bofors 40 mm gun forward, and one 20 mm cannon aft. They had a maximum speed of 54 knots (106 km/h) and was driven by triple propellers.

The Royal Navy transferred the Loch class

Loch class frigate

The Loch class was a class of anti-submarine frigate built for the Royal Navy and her allies during World War II. They were an innovative design based on the experience of 3 years of fighting in the Battle of the Atlantic and attendant technological advances.-Design:The Lochs were based upon the...

frigate HMS Loch Insh

HMS Loch Insh (K433)

-External links:*...

to the RMN in 1964 and renamed KD (Kapal di-Raja, "His Majesty's Ship") Hang Tuah

KD Hang Tuah

KD Hang Tuah is the second of the two frigates operated by Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia since the 1970s before the commissioning of newer ships Jebat, Lekiu, Kasturi and Lekir in the 1990s.- Construction:...

. In 1965, during the Indonesian Confrontation, Hang Tuah took over guardship duties off Tawau

Tawau

Tawau is the administrative center of Tawau Division, Malaysia and the third largest town of Sabah after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.-Geography:...

from HMS Yarra. The ship served the RMN until decommissioned in the 1970s and scrapped. The RMN also used some of the decommissioned ship as a part of navy monument. Visitor and tourist can visit and explore this nostalgic ship at Bandar Hilir, Melaka or at the Lumut Navy base.

Malaysianisation of the Navy

Following the end of Indonesian Confrontation in 1966 Tunku Abdul Rahman

Tunku Abdul Rahman

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...

and his colleagues decided to Malaysianise the top posts in the navy and air force. They initially offered these posts to two senior Malaysian army generals, who declined for two main reasons. First they felt that they were not professionally qualified and second because they did not want to jeopardise their own careers in the army.

Tunku and his colleagues then decided that they would select two officers, one from the navy and one from the air force, and appoint them chiefs of their respective services. They were fully aware of Rear Admiral Datuk K. Thanabalasingam's

K. Thanabalasingam

Rear Admiral Tan Sri Dato' Seri K. Thanabalasingam is the third chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy and the first Malaysian to be appointed to the post....

age but decided, nevertheless, to appoint him and take the risk. This exercise created history not only because Malaysians for the first time were appointed to these two top posts but also because of his age—he was 31 years old and a bachelor.

Under Thanabalasingam and with Tunku Abdul Rahman

Tunku Abdul Rahman

's foresight and will, they were responsible for initiating the gradual transformation of the navy from a coastal navy (brown water force) to an ocean-going navy (blue water navy).

1970's Onwards

In 1977, the RMN acquired the frigate HMS Mermaid

KD Hang Tuah

from the Royal Navy to replace the decommissioned Hang Tuah. The ship was also named KD Hang Tuah

KD Hang Tuah

, but retained HMS Mermaid’s pennant number of F76. Hang Tuah is a 2,300 standard ton light patrol frigate armed with twin 102 mm guns. Hang Tuah gradually reverted to a training role and currently continues in that role for the RMN. KD Rahmat

KD Rahmat

The KD Rahmat was a frigate operated by the Royal Malaysian Navy.The ship was ordered in 1966 as the KD Hang Jebat. The design emphasised simplicity and economy but had an unusual machinery layout with a gas turbine and two diesels driving two propellers via a gearbox...

(ex-HANG JEBAT) (F24) joined the RMN in 1972. The 2,300-ton ship was a one-off Yarrow light frigate design for the RMN. The ship was originally named KD Hang Jebat but renamed after initial propulsion problems during pre commissioning trials. It was the first Malaysian naval vessel equipped with a missile (Seacat) system. Rahmat was decommissioned in 2004.

The RMN purchased several types of missile boats in the 1970s and 80s. These were four Combattante II attack boats purchased from France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

and four Spica M from Sweden. Both classes were armed with the Exocet MM38 missiles. The RMN also acquired two 1,300-ton OPVs of Korea

Korea

Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...

n design. Sealift requirements were met by the purchases of several ex-United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

-era LSTs.

KD Sri Langkawi (A1500), ex-USS Hunterdon County (LST-838)

USS Hunterdon County (LST-838)

USS Hunterdon County was an built for the United States Navy during World War II, and later reconfigured and recommissioned for riverine warfare during the Vietnam War. Named after Hunterdon County, New Jersey, she was the only U.S...

, KD Sri Banggi (A1501),ex-USS Henry County (LST-834)

USS Henry County (LST-824)

USS Henry County was an built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for counties in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia....

, and KD Rajah Jarom (A1502), ex-USS Sedgwick County (LST-1123)

USS Sedgwick County (LST-1123)

USS Sedgwick County was an LST-542-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. Unlike many of her class, which received only numbers and were disposed of after World War II, she survived long enough to be named...

, were replaced by KD Sri Indera Pura (A1505), the ex-Newport-class

Newport class tank landing ship

Newport-class tank-landing ships are an improved class of American tank-landing ship , intended to provide substantial advantages over their World War II-era predecessors...

LST USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192)

USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192)

USS Spartanburg County was a United States Navy Newport class tank landing ship.Spartanburg County was named after a county in South Carolina. She was laid down on February 7, 1970 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company; launched on November 7, 1970; sponsored...

. Additional sealift capability is provided by two 4,300-ton, 100-meter Multi-Role Support Ships, KD Sri Indera Sakti (A1503)

KD Sri Indera Sakti

KD Sri Indera Sakti is 4,300-ton, 100-meter multi-role support ship of the Royal Malaysian Navy based in the Lumut Naval Base in Perak, Malaysia.-Service history:...

and KD Mahawangsa (A1504).

Minehunting capabilities are provided by 4 Mahameru minehunters. These are Italian-built ships based on the Lerici

Lerici class minehunter

The Lerici class is a class of minehunters constructed by Intermarine SpA and owned and operated by the Marina Militare, the Italian Navy...

, but displacing 610 tons. Hydrographic duties are handled by KD Perantau and KD Mutiara.

A Naval Air Wing was also founded with the purchase of ex-Royal Navy Westland Wasp

Westland Wasp

The Westland Wasp was a British small first-generation, gas-turbine powered, shipboard anti-submarine helicopter. Produced by Westland Helicopters, it came from the same P.531 programme as the British Army Westland Scout, and was based on the earlier piston-engined Saunders-Roe Skeeter...

s.

Four ships of the RMN have been officially decommissioned and handed over to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency , the Malaysian Coast Guard version, is the principal government agency tasked with maintaining law and order and coordinating search and rescue operations in the Malaysian Maritime Zone and on the high seas. It is in effect the Coast Guard of Malaysia...

. The vessels are patrol boats KD Lembing and KD Sri Melaka, and offshore patrol vessels KD Marikh and KD Musytari. MMEA had received a total of 17 vessels from the RMN fleet to equip its enforcement operations. 6 of the vessels were transferred in August 2005 and 7 were handed over in January 2006. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/6/27/southneast/14644773&sec=southneast

Anti-piracy efforts

The Royal Malaysian Navy has been patrolling the Gulf of Aden in order to thwart piracy since 2009.

In January 2011 the navy foiled a hijacking attempt against the Malaysian-flagged MT Bunga Laurel chemical tanker carrying lubricating oil and ethylene dichloride. The navy ship Bunga Mas 5 responded after receiving a distress signal from the ship. A Fennec

Eurocopter Fennec

|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...

attack helicopter was used to pin down the pirate mothership as commandoes boarded the tanker. The commandoes injured three pirates in the battle to re-take the ship. 23 sailors were rescued and seven Somali pirates were detained. According to a Friday, February 11, 2011 online breaking news update by CNN

CNN

Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...

's Brad Lendon, the seven Somalis, including three boys under 15 years old, could face the death penalty if convicted on charges of firing on Malaysian armed forces- navy commandos- while attempting to hijack the ship. The seven appeared before a Malaysia magistrate judge in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...

on Friday to hear the charges against them. They did not enter a plea and were transferred to a prison to await the next court action, scheduled for March 15. The ship was rescued 555 kiliometers from the coast of Oman

Oman

Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...

RMN Current Fleet

In the late 1980s, another renovation was taken by the Royal Malaysian Navy. Four Laksamana class corvettes

Laksamana Class Corvette

The Laksamana Class is a class of small missile corvettes comprising 4 ships currently in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy.-History:...

were purchased from Italy. These compact ships were originally built for Iraq, but were not delivered due to international sanctions put in place against Iraq.

A prominent addition to the fleet were two Lekiu class frigates. Based on the YARROW F2000 design, the two 2,300-ton frigates are armed with Exocet MM40 II SSM and the Sea Wolf VLS point defence SAM system with accommodation of one Westland

AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland is an Anglo-Italian helicopter design and manufacturing company. It was formed in July 2000 when Finmeccanica S.p.A. and GKN plc agreed to merge their respective helicopter subsidiaries to form AgustaWestland with Finmeccanica and GKN each holding a 50% share.AgustaWestland is now a...

Super Lynx helicopter.

Complementing the two Lekiu frigates are two German-built Kasturi class frigates

Kasturi Class Frigate

The Kasturi class is a ship class of two ships in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy. The ships are considered light frigates or large corvettes, and are called both in news sources....

which were delivered in the early 1980s. These vessels, together with two Mahamiru (Lerici) class minehunters, had been scheduled to receive the Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP).

SLEP

THALES Naval Division has been selected as the contractor of the Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) involve of the Kasturi Class corvettes - KD Kasturi, KD Lekir and two Mahamiru (Lerici) class minehunters - KD Mahamiru, KD Ledang. The corvettes will receive radar and fire control upgrade while the minehunters will receive the new wide band sonar, 2022MkIII. The programme aim to extend the service life of these surface combatants by another 10 years.

Fleet expansion

The RMN Future Fleet programme is component of second batch of Lekiu class frigates, Scorpène class submarines

Scorpène class submarine

Scorpène class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarine jointly developed by the French DCN and the Spanish company Navantia and now by DCNS. It features diesel propulsion and an additional air-independent propulsion ....

, New Generation Patrol Vessels (NGPV), Multi-Purpose Support Ship (MPSS) and maritime patrol aircraft. The ultimate goal is to build a six vessels squadron of each class by year 2020.

Scorpene submarines

Two Scorpène class submarines

Scorpène class submarine

were ordered by the RMN on June 5, 2002 under a €1.04 billion (about RM4.78 billion) contract. The two Scorpène submarines were built jointly by the French shipbuilder, DCNS, and its Spanish partner, Navantia

Navantia

Navantia, formerly Bazán or IZAR, is a Spanish shipbuilding firm, which offers its services to both military and civil sector. It is the fifth largest shipbuilder in Europe, and the ninth largest in the world with shipyards all over Spain....

. They are armed with Blackshark wire-guided torpedoes and Exocet SM-39 sub-launched anti-ship missiles.

The submarine programme also included the redeployment of an Agosta class submarine retired from the French Navy

French Navy

The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...

, for the training of submarine crews. The training of 150 Malaysian sailors, mainly in Brest

Brest, France

Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...

, France

France

, represented an important aspect of the programme.

In 2006, the RMN had launched a nationwide competition in order to select the names for the first two Malaysian submarines. On 26 July, RMN announced these vessels will be named after historic Malaysians. The first hull will be named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and the second hull KD Tun Razak. These vessels are classified as Perdana Menteri Class in service with RMN. The first vessel, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was launched on October 24, 2007 at the DCNS dockyard, Cherbourg, France

On 3 September 2009,the first Scorpene submarine of Malaysia KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, arrived at a Port Klang naval base on peninsular Malaysia's west coast after a 54-day voyage from France. Another base is also being constructed on Pulau Langkawi, Kedah to provide the RMN with readier access into the Indian Ocean. Ready access into the Pacific Ocean is available via the existing base at Semporna, Sabah.

Defects and problems were found in the submarines such as the inability to submerge and faults in the coolant system of the first submarine, causing delays in the delivery of the second submarine.

Kedah Class New Generation Patrol Vessel

In 1996, Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) planned to acquire a total of 27 New Generation Patrol Vessels (NGPV) to full fill its future requirement. The Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

Blohm + Voss

Blohm + Voss , is a German shipbuilding and engineering works. It is a subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems; there were plans to sell 80% of Blohm + Voss to Abu Dhabi Mar Group, but talks collapsed in July 2011.-History:It was founded on April 5, 1877, by Hermann Blohm and Ernst Voss as a...

MEKO 100 based design was selected and a contract of 6 NGPVs was signed in 2003. However due to management failure of the main contractor, PSC-Naval Dockyard Sdn Bhd (PSC-ND), progression was seriously delayed and led the programme into crisis. This may also affect the initial planned total number of NGPVs to be decreased. However under the intervention of the Malaysian Government, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd took over the PSC-ND, thus regaining momentum for the programme.

After a long wait of 18 months, the first 2 two hulls, KD Kedah commissioned in June 2006 and KD Pahang commissioned in August 2006. As of July, 2009, all six ships had been launched. Subsequently good progression of the programme has regained interest in the Malaysian decision makers to order the second batch of 6 NGPVs. Navy Chief Admiral Datuk Abdul Aziz bin Jaafar had recently unveiled that the navy is interested to have the second batch of NGPV ASW

Anti-submarine warfare

Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....

configured. The ASW configured NGPV is expected to be able to coordinate operations with the Scorpene submarines.

Second order of Lekiu Class frigates

The Malaysian Minister of Defence, Najib Razak, announced at the Farnborough Air Show that Malaysia would be buying 2 frigates from the United Kingdom. The Evening Times published on 20 July 2006 reported that the Clyde shipyard has won a contract to help build two Lekiu class warships for Malaysia. The two frigates will be completed at Labuan

Labuan

Labuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of the state of Sabah. Labuan's capital is Victoria and is best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990 as well as being an offshore support...

Shipyard and Engineering in Malaysia as a condition of the deal. The new frigates are said to be benefit from the latest U.K.Type 45 (T45) destroyer technology transfer. However RMN had denied the report and said the authorities had not decided where to assemble the frigates. While the price of procurement and technical speculations are yet to be decided, Annual Report 2006 published by MoD anticipates the new frigates to have a larger displacement than the current Lekiu class and capable of area air defence.

The latest report from the UK Times appear to indicate that the Second Batch of Lekiu or Project Brave have had been canceled due to the lack of funds.

Maritime patrol aircraft

Currently, RMN has no fixed wing patrol aircraft and is dependent on the RMAF’s fleet of four Beechcraft B200T maritime patrol aircraft to execute long-range patrols. This procurement will enable RMN to focus on operational maritime surveillance whilst the RMAF focuses on a strategic surveillance role, through the acquisition of Airborne Early Warning aircraft. However there is no budget allocated for this procurement until RMK 9.

Anti-submarine helicopter

Navy chief Admiral Datuk Abdul Aziz Jaafar unveiled an intention of the navy to acquire at least six ASW helicopters as a complement to the soon to be commissioned Scorpene submarines. The navy is looking forward to include the procurement into the RMK 10. However he also admitted that the plan is still at the preliminary discussion stage.

Multi-Purpose Support Ship

RMN has an outstanding requirement for a Multi-Purpose Support Ship (MPSS) to replace the KD Inderapura. The MPSS was originally slated to be included in the Ninth Malaysian Plan but was subsequently postponed due the financial crisis of 2008. However, with the fire and damage to the KD Inderapura

USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192)

in October 2009, the replacement programme is expected to be restarted.

Chief of Navy

Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar

Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar assumed his appointment as the Chief of Navy on 1 April 2008.

Profiles
Admiral Datuk Abdul Aziz Jaafar was born in Sungai Udang, Malacca on 7 May 1956. He joined the service in 1974 and was then commissioned into His Majesty's service as a Sub-Lieutenan in 1977. He had his secondary education at the Sekolah Menengah Masjid Tanah and later at the Royal Military College, Sungai Besi.

Throughout his 31 years in service, Admiral Datul Abdul Abdul Aziz has held various appointments both at sea and ashore. He was the Chief of Staff to the Fleet Operations Commander in 2001. In July 2002 he assumed duty as Commander, Naval Region 2 in Labuan. In July 2005 he was appointed as Assistant Chief of Staff Human-Resources in RMN Headquarters. He was appointed as Fleet Operations Commander for 6 months on 27 January 2006 until 28 July 2006 before taking up his last job as the Assistant Chief of Staff Defence Operations and Training at the MAF Headquarters.

Admiral Datuk Abdul Aziz was a commissioning crew for 4 RMN ships namely KD PAUS in Hong Leong-Lurssen, Malaysia ( 1976), KD SRI INDERA SAKTI in Bremen, Germany (1980), KD KASTURI in Kiel (1984) and KD LAKSAMANA MUHAMMHAD AMIN in LA Spezia, Italy (1999). He has command of 3 RMN ships before, such as KD BAUNG in 1986, KD MUSYTARI an Offshore Patrol Vessel from 1994 to 1996 and KD LAKSAMANA MUHAMMAD AMIN from 1999-2001. He was the Senior Officer Afloat while commanding RMN Missile Corvette KD LAKSAMANA MUHAMMAD AMIN from 2000 to 2001.

Admiral Datuk Abdul Aziz has attended various professional and career courses locally and abroad. Among the courses were International Navigation Specialization Courses, United Kingdom in 1980, Malaysia Armed Forces Staff Course in 1991 and Naval Command Course at the Naval War College, United States in 1995. Whilst undergoing this course, he pursued his MA studies majoring in International Relations at the Salve Regina University graduating with distinction.

Admiral Datuk Abdul Aziz is married to Datin Sarah Tun Abdul Ghafar. He has a wide range of interests. He is a keen golfer and an avid reader. His favourite subjects are sports, international relations, leadership and management.

In recognition of his services, Admiral Datuk Abdul Aziz has been bestowed the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) by the HE the Governor for the State of Malacca which carries the title of Datuk, the Malaysian Armed Forces award "Pahlawan Angkatan Tentera"(PAT), the National award " Johan Setia Mahkota"(JSM) and "Kesatria Mangku Negara"(KMN) and the State Award "Bintang Cemerlang Melaka"(BCM).

Ranks of The Royal Malaysian Navy

This is the list of ranks that is currently used in the Royal Malaysian Navy, from the highest rank to the lowest rank.

Flag Officer

Rank	Admiral of the Fleet	Vice Admiral	Rear Admiral	First Admiral
Malay	Laksamana Armada	Laksamana Madya	Laksamana Muda	Laksamana Pertama

Commissioned Officer

Rank	Captain	Commander	Lieutenant Commander	Lieutenant	Sub Lieutenant	Acting Sub Lieutenant	Midshipmen	Cadet
Malay	Kapten	Komander	Leftenan Komander	Leftenan	Leftenan Madya	Leftenan Muda	Kadet Kanan	Kadet

Enlisted

Rank	Warrant Officer (1 and 2)	Chief Petty Officer	Petty Officer	Leading Rate	Able Seaman	Ordinary Seaman	Seaman	Recruit
Malay	Pegawai Waran (1 and 2)	Bintara Kanan	Bintara Muda	Laskar Kanan	Laskar Kelas I	Laskar Kelas II	Laskar Muda	Perajurit Muda

Bases

The RMN's Fleet HQ is called KD Malaya, in Lumut

Lumut

Lumut is a coastal town in the state of Perak, Malaysia, situated about 84 km from Ipoh, 12 km from the town of Sitiawan and it is the gateway to Pangkor Island. It is a quaint little town famous for its beautiful seashell and coral handicrafts...

, Perak. Other bases are located at Tanjong Gelang, Kuantan

Kuantan

Kuantan is the state capital of Pahang, the 3rd largest state in Malaysia. It is situated near the mouth of the Kuantan River and faces the South China Sea. If one measures the distance along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it is located roughly halfway between Singapore and Kota Bharu...

, Pahang, which also serves as HQ Naval Region I and KD Sultan Ismail at Tanjung Pengelih

Tanjung Pengelih

Tanjung Pengelih is a main town in Johor, Malaysia. The Tanjung Pengelih historical British Military Operation Centre fortress during World War II is located here. The Royal Malaysian Naval Academy is also in Tanjung Pengelih....

, Johor

Johor

Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...

, where the Recruit Training Centre is located. Base are also located in Sandakan

Sandakan

Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island and it is the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo...

, Sabah

Sabah

Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...

. The principal submarine base

Submarine base

A submarine base is a military base that shelters submarines and their personnel.Examples of present-day submarine bases include HMNB Clyde, Île Longue , Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Naval Submarine Base New London, and Rybachiy Nuclear Submarine Base .The Israeli navy bases its growing submarine...

is located at Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah, which also serves as HQ Naval Region II.

Another base is also being constructed on Pulau Langkawi, Kedah to provide the RMN with readier access into the Indian Ocean. Ready access into the Pacific Ocean is available via the existing base at Semporna, Sabah.

List of Naval Bases

TLDM Lumut, Perak Lumut is also well known as The Home of Navy(Fleet HQ and location of Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd)
TLDM Tanjung Gelang, Pahang
Pahang
Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea.Its state...

(HQ Naval Region I/MAWILLA I)
TLDM Sepanggar
Sepanggar
Sepanggar is a sub-district of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. It is located around Sepanggar Bay which houses the Sepanggar Bay Container Terminal, a major naval base for the Royal Malaysian Navy as well as the Sepanggar Bay Oil Terminal...

, Sabah (HQ Naval Region II/MAWILLA II)
TLDM Tanjung Gerak, Langkawi
Langkawi
Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah is an archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border...

, Kedah (HQ Naval Region III/MAWILLA III)
TLDM Tanjung Pengelih, Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...

(Recruit Training Centre (PULAREK)) (KD Sultan Ismail)
TLDM Sandakan
Sandakan
Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island and it is the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo...

, Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
TLDM Semporna
Semporna
Semporna is a town located in Tawau Division, in the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Its population was estimated to be around 133,000 in 2006.-History:...

, Sabah
National Hydrographic Centre, Pulau Indah
Pulau Indah
Pulau Indah is an island off the west coast of Selangor, Malaysia. The West Port of Port Klang is located here. It was formerly known as Pulau Lumut....

, Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...

(KD Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah)
TLDM Sejingkat, Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...

(complete by 2011/12)

Ships and Weapon systems

All RMN Ships carry the prefix KD for Kapal di-Raja meaning "Royal Ship" (glossed into English as"His Majesty's Ship"). The Training vessel Tunas Samudra however carries a KLD prefix for Kapal Layar di-Raja for Royal (His Majesty's) Sailing Ship.

Air Combat Weapon

Eurocopter Fennec

|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...

|| || Surface Surveillance || AS 550 Fennec || 6 ||
|-----
| Westland Lynx

Westland Lynx

The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...

||
|| Anti-Submarine Warfare || SuperLynx 300 || 6 || It is equipped with the MBDA Sea Skua

Sea Skua

The Sea Skua is a British lightweight short-range air-to-surface missile designed for use from helicopters against ships. It is primarily used by the Royal Navy on the Westland Lynx helicopter, although Kuwait uses it in a shore battery and on their Umm Al Maradem fast attack craft.The British...

antiship missile.
|-----
The Westland Wasps were retired from service in 1999. As a replacement, RMN now has 6 AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland

SuperLyn 300

Westland Lynx

Mk100 helicopters which are operated by the 501 Squadron and another 6 Eurocopter AS 555 Fennecs

Eurocopter Fennec

|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...

which are operated by the 502 Squadron. Both squadrons were managed and supported at their main base, KD Rajawali. One of the WASPS is been displayed at Royal Navy Museum at Bandar Hilir, Melaka.

Current Fleet of the RMN

Squadron 21 Frigate
Squadron 23 Frigate
Squadron 22 Corvette
Squadron 24 Corvette
Squadron 26 Mine Counter Measure Vessel
Squadron 31 MPCSS
Squadron 32 SEALIFT
Squadron 36 HYDRO
Squadron 1 FAC (M)
Squadron 6 FPC (LABUAN)
Squadron 13 PC (SANDAKAN)

Squadron FAST TROOP VESSEL (FTV)
Squadron DIVING TENDER
Squadron TUG

Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

Musytari class offshore patrol vessels

160 KD Musytari
161 KD Marikh

Keris Class Patrol Craft

ex-P 40 KD Lembing
ex-P 3147 KD Sri Melaka

Special Forces

The special forces arm of the RMN is known as PASKAL (Pasukan Khas Laut or Naval Special Forces). In peacetime, the unit is tasked with responding to maritime hijacking incidents as well as protecting Malaysia's numerous offshore oil and gas platforms. Its wartime roles include seaborne infiltration, sabotaging of enemy naval assets and installations, and the defence of RMN vessels and bases. This unit is analogous to the United States Navy SEALs

United States Navy SEALs

The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...

.

On 15 April 2009, PASKAL was renamed KD Panglima Hitam (KD being the equivalent of HMS in the Royal Navy). The ceremony was held at the RMN HQ Lumut to honour PASKAL's courage and loyalty to the nation. Panglima Hitam was the name given to brave and loyal Malay warriors who served during the golden age of the Malay Rulers (Sultans and Rajas) of Perak

Perak

Perak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...

, Selangor

Selangor

Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...

, Johor

Johor

and Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....

.http://www.navy.mil.my/content/view/403/18/lang,en/

External links

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