BHIC's Littoral Combat Ship (photo : cari)KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will receive six littoral combat ships (LCS) from Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC) over the next 15 years, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Wednesday.
He said the Defence Ministry had issued the Letter of Intent to the BHIC for the construction of the second-generation LCS, using local expertise.
It will involve upgrading the combat ships' weapon specifications from cannon to torpedoes as stipulated by the RMN, he told reporters after the conferment of First Admiral (Honorary) rank to Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir at the Defence Ministry here.
Ahmad Zahid said local expertise had the capabilities to produce the LCS following a series of discussions on the foreign shipping companies' integration system, including the transfer of technology.
He said the selection of weaponry would take into consideration the patrol operations in coastal areas and the South China Sea, including Sabah and Sarawak waters.
The minister also hoped that the BHIC would further secure construction jobs in other Asean member countries through the Asean Defence Collaboration.
With the consent from Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Zambry became the first menteri besar ever conferred with the rank of First Admiral (Honorary).
The conferment, which took effect on July 1, was in appreciation of his contributions in the development of the RMN and its staff at the naval base in Lumut.
There are 15 other recipients of the honorary ranks including Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharifuddin Idris Shah as RMN Captain-in-Chief, Raja Dihilir of Perak Raja Jaafar Ibni Raja Muda Musa (Honorary First Admiral), national sailor Datuk Azhar Mansur (Honorary Captain) and Director-General of Works Datuk Seri Dr Judin Abdul Karim (Honorary Captain).