Over 17 countries submitted proposals in bids for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) Multi – Role Support Ship (MRSS) program scheduled under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) which runs from 2026 – 2030. The RMN is in the market for at least two MRSS vessels to replace their existing vessels in similar roles as part of the Navy’s 15 – to – 5 transformation program which calls for a total of three.
According to RMN Chief Admiral Zulhelmy Ithnain, proposals were received from shipbuilders hailing from Turkiye, the Netherlands, China, Russia, Italy, and South Korea among others. “We are reviewing all of them, and according to the Defense Ministry, the most suitable method is government – to – government (G2G), similar to what we did with Turkiye,” he said referring to the previous G2G deal signed with Turkiye’s STM for 3 ADA – class Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 (LMSB2) corvettes now classified as the Tunku – class which has progressed rapidly since the deal’s confirmation in 2024.
The admiral said the project had been approved by the government under the 13MP and is now in the evaluation and specification verification stage where the service is reviewing all submissions before manufacturers are called in for final assessment and validation. He added that the RMN has set a requirement for the third planned MRSS vessel to be built locally and that the program could likely extend into the 14th Malaysia Plan (2031 – 2035) due to its scale and phased implementation.
Though the bidders were not specified, Italy’s Fincantieri, Turkiye’s STM, South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries are among those who have long been speculated as the frontrunners for the program. Malaysia and Italy previously agreed to seek a G2G deal for the possible procurement of MRSS and LMSB3 vessels from Fincantieri which have offered the Kalaat Beni – Abbes amphibious landing ship design and FCX20 new – generation offshore patrol vessel (OPV).
The Kalaat Beni – Abbes design is based on the titular vessel belonging to the Algerian Navy with the latest version being an improvement of the San Giusto – class, retaining much of the most significant characteristics of the San Giusto – class and displacing around 8,800 tonnes. Reportedly able to accommodate 3 – 5 helicopters, the Kalaat Beni – Abbes features a continuous flight deck with two deck – landing spots fore and aft. It is also equipped with a 60 – bed hospital and several operating theatres, to provide medical support to both troops and civilians during humanitarian operations.
STM, aiming to continue its strong momentum with the RMN offered its MRSS design which can embark, transport, and land units of a Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) battalion, along with their equipment and heavy and light vehicles, for expeditionary warfare missions. STM says it can carry 150 personnel and 500 troops, two Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and even 14 main battle tanks (MBT) as well as 9 amphibious assault vehicles in addition to its hangar which can accommodate 2 helicopters. STM also lists surgery, x – ray, intensive care, infirmary, sickbay, triage area, dentist, and medical Stores among the design’s features.
HD HHI is offering the HDL-10000 MRSS which displaces around 11,000 tonnes and capable of transporting as many as 18 MBTs, and other vehicles, not to mention close to 600 troops onboard. The vessel also features a medical facility comprising an operating room, ward, consultation room, laboratory and x – ray imaging based on NATO Doctrine Role 2.
On top of that, the chief mentioned that the force’s planned acquisition for more submarines is expected to be considered in the 14th MP. The RMN currently operates two French – made Scorpene – class submarines manufactured by Naval Group dubbed the Prime Minister – class – KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and KD Tun Abdul Razak. In 2023, the government outlined plans to acquire two more submarines to be split with one submarine in the 14th and 15th MP respectively.
- Asian Defense Journal