Main>Articles>Military Stuff>Lekiu FFG

Lekiu FFG
The Royal Malaysian Navy's KD Lekiu was launched in December 1994 followed by its sister ship, KD Jebat in May 1995. However, signicant problems in the integration of electronic systems prevented their commisioning until the late 1990s. These vessels are amongst the most potent and technologically advanced vessels in the region.
The hull and superstructure are constructed in such a way as to increase the ship's stealthiness. The Lekiu-class FFGs are powered by four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 diesel engines, rated at 24.5 MW sustained power. The engines drive two shafts with Kamewa controllable pitch propellers. The ship can attain a speed of 28 knots and has a range of over 5,000 miles. There is also a flight deck and a hangar that houses a single Lynx 300 helicopter. The Lynx helicopter provides Over-The-Horizon-Targeting (OTHT) for the ship's Exocet missiles and can even persecute enemy vessels autonomously using Sea Skua missiles. Apart from that, the Lynx also carries out anti-submarine missions with its dipping sonar and torpedoes.
The weapons suite of the Lekius is tailored to provide it with capabilities in all 3 dimensions of naval warfare. There are 2 quad launchers for MM40 Exocet missiles (range 70km) located amidships. The keypoint of these ships' air defense systems lies in 32 Seawolf (range 6km) surface-to-air missiles, housed in vertical launch tubes. These super-accurate missiles provide highly effective defense against incoming anti-ship missiles. Hostile submarines can be attacked using 2 triple torpedo tubes on either side. The torpedo used for this role is the Italian Whitehead. The ship’s main gun is the Bofors 57 mm gun that fires 2.4 kg shells at a rate of 220 rounds/minute. The range of the gun is 17 km. Two MSI 30 mm guns fire 0.36 kg rounds to a range of 10 km at a firing rate up to 650 rounds/minute.
Electronics-wise, these ships carry a highly modern and capable suite. The combat data system used is the Alenia Marconi Systems Nautis F. A Radamec optronic weapon director is also installed to enable the ship's weapons to function in intense ECM situations. The ship carries a Signaal DA08 air search radar and an Ericsson Sea Giraffe surface search radar. There are also two BAe Systems 1802 fire control radars. Sonar sensors include the Spherion TSM 2633 LF sonar. The Lekius can defend themselves from hostile attacks using the Sea Siren towed decoy (for torpedoes) and Super Barricade chaff launchers (for missiles). BAe Mentor ESM and Racal Scimitar ECM systems are also carried along.
In view of the excellent service rendered by the Lekius, as well as their technological superiority over most regional naval combatants, the RMN is seriously considering procuring another 2 examples from Yarrow Shipyards.

Back