Lekiu-class Frigate

The ''Lekiu''-class frigates are a class of frigates of the Royal Malaysian Navy. They are the largest and most modern surface combatants of the Royal Malaysian Navy, until the ''Maharaja Lela''-class frigates are completed. The class comprises two vessels, and KD ''Lekiu''. The class is named after the second ship of the class which was launched before ''Jebat''.

The two ships of the class are named after Hang Lekiu and Hang Jebat, two figures from the Malay 15th-century epic narrative ''Hikayat Hang Tuah''. They share this characteristic with the two s, KD ''Kasturi'' and KD ''Lekir'', as well as the old frigate-turned-training ship , all of which are named after figures from the epic as well.

Development

The ships were built in the United Kingdom by Yarrow Shipbuilders of Glasgow (now BAE Systems Surface Ships) from the company's standard F2000 frigate design. ''Lekiu'' was launched in December 1994 while the ''Jebat'' was launched in May 1995. ''Jebat'' carries the lower pennant number (FFG29) 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 and an offset 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. The ships were commissioned in March and May 1999. The ships represented a huge jump in capability compared to the frigates then operated by the Royal Malaysian Navy, and (ex-HMS ''Mermaid'').

Both ''Jebat'' and ''Lekiu'' serve in the 23 Frigate Squadron of the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Delays

The ''Lekiu'' class faced serious delays due to difficulties in the systems integration of the weapons and weapons control system (i.e., software problems). These problems were overcome and the delivery and commissioning of the two ships was completed on 7 October and 10 November 1999.

Plans for further ships

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. The ''Evening Times'' reported on 20 July 2006 that the Clyde shipyard has won a contract to build two ''Lekiu'' class warships for Malaysia.

The two ships were to have been completed at Labuan Shipyard as a condition of the deal, but were cancelled in August 2009. In 2013 Malaysia announced the purchasing of six ''Maharaja Lela''-class frigates, and the ''Lekiu'' class batch 2 is presumed to be cancelled.

Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)

A limited service life extension program started in 2015. Upgrades include Thales Vigile 100 Mk2 ESM replacing the BAE Mentor A, Chess Dynamics Sea Eagle FCEO replacing the BAE Type V 3001 and Terma Scanter 6000 navigation radar.

Major operation

KD ''Lekiu'' together with KD ''Sri Inderapura'' involved in Ops Fajar 4 mission/Anti-piracy measures in Somalia by Malaysian navy in Gulf of Aden in 2008. Both ships were tasked to returned two hijacked Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) shipping vessels MT ''Bunga Melati Dua'' and MT ''Bunga Melati Lima'' to Malaysia.

In 2013 KD ''Jebat'' was involved in a naval blockade in 2013 Lahad Datu standoff.

In 2014, KD ''Lekiu'' involved in MH370’s Search and Rescue Operation in the South Indian Ocean for several months.

In 2018, KD ''Lekiu'' participated in the world's largest maritime exercise RIMPAC.

Ships of the class

Gallery

File:RAN-IFR 2013 D3 143.JPG, KD ''Jebat'' moored in Sydney Harbour in October 2013.
File:KD Lekiu (FFGH 30) passes by the fast-attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) during a submarine warfare exercise.jpeg, KD ''Lekiu'' passes by the US Navy submarine during a submarine warfare exercise at CARAT 2011.
File:KD Jebat (FFG 29) at CARAT 2013.jpeg, KD ''Jebat'' underway off the coast of Malaysia during a divisional tactics drill as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 2013.
File:USS Freedom participates in Carat 2013. (9135089157).jpg, A rigid-hull inflatable boat from the LCS takes a visit, board, search and seizure team to the Malaysian frigate KD ''Jebat'' during a compliant boarding exercise.
File:RAN-IFR_2013_D2_30.JPG, KD ''Jebat'' entering Sydney harbour for the Sydney International Fleet Review 2013.
File:Malaysia KD Lekiu (30) during Milan 2018 exercise.jpg, KD ''Lekiu'' (30) during Milan 2018 exercise hosted by Indian Navy.
File:KD Lekiu night at the naval port.jpg, KD ''Lekiu'' docked at RMN Lumut Naval Base at night.

See also

* – Three other F2000-derived ships ordered for the Royal Brunei Navy but purchased by the Indonesian Navy.
* List of naval ship classes in service

References

External links

Lekiu Class, Malaysia(naval technology)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lekiu Class Frigate
Frigate classes