In the 1990s, the Royal Malaysian Navy identified the need to replace their ageing patrol boats. These 31 m long vessels built by Vosper Ltd with a displacement of 96 tons had been in service since the 1960s.[1] After receiving government approval, the Malaysian Navy ran a competition for the design in 1996, planning to purchase 27 vessels over 15 years. The specifications aimed for a design with a displacement of 1,300 tons and an overall length of 80 m. It was already noted at that time that this resembled full-fledged corvettes rather than patrol vessels, but the eventual winning bid would turn out to be even larger.[2] The Australian bid proposed a Joint Patrol Vessel, to be designed by Australian Transfield Shipbuilding and subsequently purchased by the Malaysian Navy as well as the Royal Australian Navy.[3] Other contenders were the German Naval Group consortium as well as British shipyards Vosper Thornycroft and Yarrow Shipbuilders.
The Kedah class is based on the MEKO 100 corvette. It is designed to have low radar detectability, low noise, low heat dissipation, and have an economical cruising speed. The main radar, TRS-3D/16-ES is a fully coherent multi-mode phased array C-band radar capable of fully automatic detection, track initiation, and classification of various types of targets. It is capable to track 400 air and surface targets with the detection range up to 200 km and the corresponding update times between 1 and 6 seconds.[4] An advanced control system known as Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) is used to monitor and control the platform machinery of the ships, including propulsion, electrical, damage control, and auxiliary machinery and systems.[5][6]
On 24 July 1964,KD Sri Selangor, a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) vessel, was attacked by five members of the Indonesian Navy’s Indonesian Marine Corps(KKO) in the waters of the Singapore Strait near Saint John's Island. While on routine patrol, the ship detected a small boat just 15 yards away. Despite being ordered to surrender by Commanding Officer Lt. P.K. Nettur, the boat opened fire.
Three crew members were injured, including Leading Seaman Abdul Samad, Senior Cadet Officer Musa Jabar, and Leading Seaman Kweh Onn Cheong.[7] In response, KD Sri Selangor returned fire with a Bren Gun, killing all five KKO members and sinking their boat.[8]
Following the incident, the ship quickly headed to the Teluk Air Basin for medical assistance. The bodies of the KKO members and the injured crew were taken to the British Medical Hospital in Singapore. This attack highlighted the tensions during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation.[9]
Malaysia
Royal Malaysian Navy
Indonesian Marine Corps
