KUALA LUMPUR: Three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) have passed the halfway mark in their construction, according to the Defence Ministry.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in his ministerial address at Wisma Perwira, reported that LCS2, LCS3, and LCS4 are 86.61%, 76.60%, and 65.05% completed, respectively.
LCS5, he added, is approximately 48.72% completed.
"The LCS2 has been tested on water and is currently undergoing 'Setting To Work'. The LCS3 is in its final preparation for water trials, planned for Jan 2026," he said.
Regarding the LMS Batch Two, Mohamed Khaled stated that the three ships are expected to be around 13.8% completed by June 2025.
On the ongoing acquisition of the Fighter Lead-In Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA) FA-50, he mentioned that two planes are expected to be received by Oct 2025.
"Besides that, we are currently working on acquiring MPAs (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) for maritime surveillance operations, with these assets expected to be received in June and Sept 2026," he added.