STM has officially laid the keels for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s anticipated Ada-class corvettes, marking a significant milestone in the contract signed in 2024. The keel-laying ceremony, held in Istanbul, is a pivotal step forward for Malaysia’s ambitious three-vessel program, which is set to be completed by 2028.
These new vessels will be classified as Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) and are designed to enhance the Malaysian Navy’s operational capabilities in various tactical domains. Once commissioned, the LMS will undertake diverse missions, including anti-surface and anti-aircraft operations, asymmetric warfare, and electronic warfare, thereby providing Kuala Lumpur with a robust maritime defense presence in open waters.
Throughout the construction process of these corvettes, STM will work closely with local industry partners in Turkey to ensure the successful integration of advanced weaponry, sensor technologies, command, and management systems. Bülent Soydal, Deputy General Manager of STM, expressed that the keel-laying ceremony serves as a testament to the strong ties and cooperation between Türkiye and Malaysia. He emphasized that these corvettes represent Türkiye’s inaugural export of corvette vessels to the Asia-Pacific region, a move intended to bolster the Royal Malaysian Navy’s capability to conduct comprehensive maritime defense operations.
The LMS corvettes will each stretch to 100 meters (328 feet) in length and accommodate over 100 personnel, as well as a medium helicopter for extended operation capabilities. The vessels will be equipped with a 76-millimeter main gun and a secondary 30-millimeter gun, in addition to multi-domain missile systems and decoy launchers to enhance their combat effectiveness.
Designed for extended maritime engagement, each corvette will feature four diesel engines, enabling a range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers/4,603 miles) and a 14-day operational endurance. The ships are expected to achieve impressive speeds of over 26 knots (48 kilometers/30 miles per hour), ensuring swift maneuverability during naval operations.
With the laying of the keels completed, the Royal Malaysian Navy moves closer to updating its fleet, which is critical for enhancing national security and regional stability in maritime domains.
