3 days ago
Navy decommissions three vessels in Lumut under fleet modernisation plan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) today officially decommissioned three of its vessels in a ceremony steeped in naval tradition at the Lumut Naval Base, Perak.
The vessels, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil, KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah and KD Pendekar forms part of the RMN's fleet modernisation initiative under the 15-to-5 Transformation Programme, aimed at enhancing operational capabilities and optimising return on investment for the navy.
The ceremony was launched by Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain and attended by senior RMN leadership, former commanding officers of the vessels and the final crew members to have served aboard the ships.
"In the ceremony, the ships' bells were sounded and their ensigns lowered symbolising the end of their commission and active service status.
"The three ships have served for decades in various missions and exercises, playing a vital role in safeguarding the country's maritime sovereignty," the RMN said.
The decommissioned vessels, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil and KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah were both part of the 24th Corvette Squadron, originally built in Italy in the early 1980s for the Iraqi Navy, however not delivered due to United Nations sanctions imposed during the Gulf War.
"Malaysia acquired the vessels in the mid-1990s, with KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil commissioned into RMN service in July 1997 and KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah in July 1999.
"Since entering service, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil has logged 486,487.1 nautical miles, while KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah has recorded 315,907.6 nautical miles, participating in local and international exercises, maritime surveillance, patrol operations and humanitarian missions," it said.
Meanwhile, the decommissioned vessel, KD Pendekar, was part of the First Fast Attack Craft Squadron and one of RMN's earliest surface combat platforms.
"Built in Sweden and commissioned in August 1979, the vessel served for more than four decades, undertaking maritime enforcement operations, bilateral and multilateral exercises and high-speed missions in shallow and coastal waters.
"It sailed a total of 820,077.64 nautical miles during its operational life, making it one of the most active ships in RMN history," it said.
On Aug 25 last year, KD Pendekar reportedly sank, two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusup, Johor.
It was later refloated following a salvage operation last October.
