The entry into service of two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) training ships, Gagah Samudera and Teguh Samudera , remains in limbo owing to financial issues surrounding the Malaysian shipbuilder NGV Tech.
RMN sources said that NGV Tech was in financial difficulties and as a result, its creditors had a call on both ships, which prevents the RMN from formally accepting and commissioning them. The sources also said that neither ships was completed, with Gagah Samudera being about 95% complete and Teguh Samudera being 80% complete.
No further work can be carried out on the ships for the time being, though the Ministry of Defence is working to resolve this impasse and at the same time is looking for a local shipbuilder to finish them. Boustead Naval Shipyard, which is currently building the Second Generation Patrol Vessel - Littoral Combat Ship for the RMN, is said to be the lead contender for this contract once the dispute over the ships' ownership has been resolved.
Both ships are currently berthed at the RMN's National Hydrography Center, Port Klang, with RMN personnel overseeing the care of them.
The Samudera-class ships were being built by NGV Tech in collaboration with South Korea's DSME and were planned to replace the RMN's aging training ship KD Hang Tuah. Launched in December 2012 and February 2013 respectively from NGV Tech's shipyards at Sijangkang, near Kuala Lumpur, the two training ships were scheduled to enter service by the end of 2013.
Each ship is designed to carry 45 crew and 60 trainees. Armament consists of a single MSI Seahawk 30 mm cannon and they are fitted with a Samsung-Thales fire control system. Both are to have a helideck although no hangar is fitted.
(Jane's)
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