KUALA LUMPUR: Steps must be taken to ensure the successful completion of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project due to the important role the vessels play in safeguarding the country’s maritime interests, says a former Navy chief.
Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Reza Sany said the government should also address the needs of the Armed Forces, especially that of the Navy, in Budget 2023.
“Sufficient funds should be allocated for the second batch of the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) project so that it can be carried out soon,” he said when contacted.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan recently said the government would be going ahead with the LCS project as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s defences.
The LCS project is said to be the largest defence procurement in Malaysia’s history, with a total cost of RM9bil.
The project came under much scrutiny last year after Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee revealed that not a single ship had been completed although RM6.08bil had been spent on it.
Mohd Reza said it was not “business as usual” for the country’s Armed Forces as the global and regional security landscapes had changed, and thus the defence budget should be reviewed as well.
“The budget for the Armed Forces should be reviewed to suit the current security landscape.
“In this context, the defence budget should be increased to a more realistic level, which is around 1% to 1.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP),” he added.
Mohd Reza, who retired last month, said he hoped the government would give due consideration to the Armed Forces in Budget 2023.
“It is important that the nation’s defence is not forsaken,” he said.
On Jan 27, Mohd Reza went on mandatory retirement, with Admiral Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob taking over as Navy chief.
The unity government’s Budget 2023 will be tabled in Parliament on Feb 24.
Under the previous administration’s proposed Budget 2023 that was tabled last year, a total of RM17.4bil was allocated to the Defence Ministry.
