REGISTER OF RMN DECOMMISSIONED SHIPS Part 3

Expansion Of The Naval Role

The major role of the RMN now is to defend the integrity and sovereignty of Malaysia and her maritime interests. As a maritime nation, Malaysia must have a capable and trained navy to ensure the sovereignty and integrity of the country's territories and for maintaining an open sea line of communications with East Malaysia that is separated from Peninsular Malaysia by 926 kilometres of sea. Hence, the RMN must always be on the alert against any threats posed in the surrounding waters that cover an area of more than 598,540 square kilometres. The RMN also conducts regular patrols to ensure the safety and security of her territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The proclamation of the new Malaysia map in 1979 and the EEZ further increased the responsibilities and roles of the RMN and greatly influenced her development.

As such, the RMN's tasks has expanded from the 1980's from coastal defence to include safeguarding the sovereignty of all claimed territories, territorial waters and the EEZ, maintaining law and order in Malaysian waters and the EEZ and protecting Malaysia's sea lines of communication. In addition, the navy is responsible for protecting offshore hydrocarbon deposits and other non-living seabed resources, managing fishery resources, regulating scientific research and controlling the inflow of illegal immigrants. In line with these developments and progress of the nation, the RMN is therefore striving to be a formidable blue water navy.

The purchase of modern and sophisticated warships and Second Life Extension Programmes (SLEPS) that has been carried out to replace and upgrade aged vessels has enabled the RMN to withdraw from active service her older assets. The establishment of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency(MMEA) to undertake the coast guard role in 2004 has also relieved the RMN from performing coastal patrol duties and to support this new agency the RMN has transferred 17 of her ships including coastal assets to the MMEA. With the development of a lean and mean fighting force, the RMN now have a deterrent capability to keep potential aggressors at home. That in itself is already a victory for a peaceful country like Malaysia.

Below are the ships that has been decommissioned or transferred to meet that aim :

1. NAME : KD Sri Sabah, KD Sri Sarawak, KD Sri Negeri Sembilan, KD Sri Melaka (Sabah Class) , KD Kris, KD Sundang , KD Badek , KD Renchong , KD Tombak, KD 1967 , KD Lembing , KD Serampang, KD Panah, KD Kerambit, KD Beladau, KD Kelewang, KD Rentaka, KD Sri Perlis, KD Sri Johor (Kris Class)
PRECEDING NAME : New
PENNANT NUMBER : 3144, 3145, 3146,3147, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48
SERVICE ENTRY : 1964 Sabah Class, First Three 1966, Next Nine 1967, Last Two 1968.
SERVICE DEACTIVATED : 41 Decommissioned 2004, Others - transferred MMEA 2006
TYPE : Patrol craft – Sabah And Kris class

A follow on batch of 4 PB's to the Kedah class was commissioned in 1963 as the Sabah class and the deliveries ended at the end of 1964. With the development and enlargement of the navy's role, especially after assuming the responsibility for the patrol of Sabah and Sarawak's waters, more PB's were added to the fleet. This resulted in an order again to Vosper of 14 larger-sized PB's in 1965. These PB's were designated as "Kris" class Patrol Crafts(PC's) and are equipped with better engines and Decca-type radar, and with heavier weapons than before. The last PC of this class was duly commissioned in 1968. With a service period of more than 30 years, these craft has served with the distinction as the longest serving class in the RMN's fleet. The PC's were originally meant for coastal patrols but they were later enlisted for open-sea surveillance with the adoption of the EEZ concept but were increasingly unable to meet the navy's extended operational demands even though they have been retrofitted and modernised throughout their years of service. This is because the patrol boats have limited operational capabilities and are only able to patrol between 8km and 32km from the shore while the country's waters stretches for more than 320km and are thus expected to be gradually replaced with the incoming NGPV's.

Displacement: 96 tons standard , 109 tons full load (Kris Class)
Dimensions: 31.4 m x 6 m x 1.7 m
Guns : 2 x 40/70 mm Bofors, 2 12.7 mm MG
Electronics: Decca 707
Propulsion: 2 MTU MD655/18diesels 3,580 hp, 2 shafts
Speed : 27 knots, range 3074 Km at 14 knots
Crew: 36

2. NAME : KD Rahmat
PRECEDING NAME : KD Hang Jebat (Commissioning Name)
PENNANT NUMBER : 24
SERVICE ENTRY : 1971
SERVICE DEACTIVATED : 2004 -Proposed Museum Ship- Static Training Ship currently-
TYPE : Frigate- Yarrow Mark 1



A Yarrow Mark 1 frigate, Rahmat was the first major purpose-built warship for the Royal Malaysian Navy. She was laid down in 1966 and was originally called the KD Hang Jebat. However her name was later changed to Rahmat due to superstitious reasons after she had a run of unfortunate events in the 1970's. At the time of delivery, Rahmat was a capable ship by the standards then prevalent in South East Asia (SEA), with a high level of automation and a design emphasis on simplicity that reduced manning requirements. She was initially delivered in 1972 with a quadruple Sea Cat Surface to Air Missile(SAM) launcher, therefore making the Royal Malaysian Navy one of the first navies to be SAM-equipped in SEA. The third Bofors 40mm then replaced the outdated launcher in 1983 during a modernisation re-fit where the director was also removed, thereby altering her original appearance. On board, there is also a provision for the embarkation of a helicopter with the incorporation of a McGregor hatch over the well deck. Originally configured as an ASW frigate, she was used as the navy's second training vessel in the same squadron as KD Tuah. Decommissioned in 2004, she is now playing a role as a static training ship while awaiting conversion to a museum ship.

Displacement: 1250 tons standard, 1600 tons full load
Dimensions: 93.9m x 10.4m x 4.5m
Guns: 1 x 114mm/45 Vickers Mk 5 DP, 3x 40mm/70 Bofors. (Range : Main 19 Km/12.5 Km, Aux : 12 Km/4 Km)
ASW: 1 x Mk10 Limbo Mortar (3 tubes) (Range : 900 metres)
Electronics: Sewaco-MA combat data system, Signaal LW.02, Decca 626, Kelvin Hughes MS32 Radars, One radar for the WM22 gun fire-control system, Graseby Type 174 and Type 170B sonars, ESM system with UA-3 warning and FH-4 jamming elements, 2 UK Mk1 rail chaff launchers, Link Y
Propulsion: Rolls Royce Olympus TM1B gas turbine at 20626hp or Crossley/SEMT-Pielstick SPC2V diesel at 4000hp to two shafts, controllable pitch propellers
Speed: 26 knots, range 9656 Km at 16 knots
Crew: 140
Aircraft: Platform Aft

3. NAME : KD Musytari, KD Marikh
PRECEDING NAME : New
PENNANT NUMBER : 160, 161
SERVICE ENTRY : 1985/1987
SERVICE DEACTIVATED : 2006 – transferred to MMEA-
TYPE : Offshore Patrol Vessel - Musytari Class



For the extended patrolling of the Exclusive Economic Zone even in monsoon conditions, 2 Korean-designed Musytari class Offshore Patrol Vessels are in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy. Ordered in 1983, the first vessel was built in South Korea by Korean Shipbuilding Engineering Corporation while the second was built in a local shipyard, Malaysian Shipyard and Engineering. A third unit was proposed but she was finally not built. Although not of outstanding usefulness in a war situation except for fire support, the vessels still effectively perform the functions of maintaining continuos presence and providing surveillance in the EEZ in their primary role for the navy. The vessels also support and protect the oil rig platforms of the nation besides providing fishery protection, fire fighting and search and rescue operations. These vessels can be put to sea for a two-week period due to their larger size and longer range, and excellent sea keeping qualities and manoeuvrability enable the vessels to operate in rough weather. The armaments fit of the vessel includes a Creusot Loire 100mm Compact gun and an Emerson Electric 30mm twin cannon. The vessels are also fitted with a comprehensive range of navigation and communication equipment, and sophisticated fire control system. In times of crisis, mine warfare equipment and other weaponry may be fitted to expand the vessel capabilities. With a helicopter capability, the vessels are also able to carry out beyond horizon surveillance and ASW operations. As such, these vessels are sufficiently equipped to be useful in a secondary support role for any naval action.



Displacement: 1300 tons full load
Dimensions: 75m x 10.8m x 3.7m
Guns: 1 x 100mm/55 Creusot Loire Compact, 1 x twin 30mm/85 Emerson Electric. (Range : Main 17.5 Km/6 Km, Aux : 10Km/3.5 Km)
Electronics: Signaal DA05, Philips 9GA-600, Decca 1226 radars, Philips 9LV 230 Fire control system with Optronic backup, ESM Cutlass intercept
Propulsion: 2 Pielstick Diesels providing 12720hp to two shafts
Speed: 22 knots, range 11,100 Km at 20 knots
Crew: 76
Aircraft: Platform aft.