STM showcases Malaysia's LMS Batch 2 corvette at DSA 2026 to expand South China Sea presence.

Malaysia is moving to field a heavier, more lethal corvette force to secure its vast exclusive maritime zone and reinforce its presence in the South China Sea. The new Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 replaces lightly armed patrol vessels with more modern vessels capable of sustained operations, stronger deterrence, and credible surface and air defense.

The LMSB2 ship, based on a Turkish design, is a 2,400-ton class corvette equipped with anti-ship missiles, a 16-cell vertical launch system, and integrated combat management, enabling coordinated engagements against surface and aerial threats. Its extended range, aviation support, and networked sensors position it for persistent patrol, maritime interdiction, and coalition operations, reflecting a broader shift toward multi-mission, survivable naval forces in contested waters.

Related topic: Malaysia's first Maharaja Lela littoral combat ship starts sea trials after years of delays

The LMSB1 ships were equipped mainly with a 30 mm gun and had no missile systems, limiting them to constabulary roles, while the LMS Batch 2 carries a 76 mm main gun, a 30 mm remote weapon station, eight anti-ship missiles, and a 16-cell vertical launch system. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

At DSA 2026, STM exhibited a scale model of Malaysia’s Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 (LMSB2), as part of a three-ship contract executed under a government-to-government framework between Malaysia and Türkiye. The Royal Malaysian Navy initiated the construction of the first ship on December 4, 2024, at Istanbul Shipyard, following the June 2024 selection of a design derived from the Ada-class corvette. The contract assigns STM full lifecycle responsibility, including design authority, hull construction, system integration, testing, delivery, and integrated logistics support.

The LMSB2 directly replaces the Keris-class vessels of Littoral Mission Ship Batch 1 (LMSB1), which displace less than 700 tons and carry limited armament, with a corvette-sized design exceeding 2,400 tons. The shift reflects a requirement for increased combat capability and endurance across Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which covers about 334,671 km², which is larger than its land area of roughly 330,803 km². The current tranche covers three hulls, with delivery projected near 2027, as part of a broader objective targeting eighteen Littoral Mission Ships under the 15-to-5 fleet rationalization plan. The LMSB2 selection process included four other main competitors: the HDC-2000 from Hyundai Heavy Industries, the FCX15 from Fincantieri, the Sigma-class from Damen Shipyards Group, and the C92 from Dearsan Shipyard.

Evaluation criteria focused on integration flexibility across Western and non-Western subsystems, export maturity, and the availability of a supporting industrial base capable of sustaining long-term maintenance and upgrades. Turkish shipbuilding proposals had prior export execution in Pakistan with the Babur-class corvettes and in Ukraine, which reduced perceived program risk. More than 50 Turkish defense firms are now involved in subsystem delivery, including radars, combat management systems, electronic warfare components, and weapons integration modules. STM coordinates this network, acting as system integrator and prime contractor, while retaining responsibility for sea trials and final acceptance.

The program remains limited in scale at this stage, with three ships funded, but is structured for an incremental expansion toward eighteen units. This phased acquisition reduces budgetary concentration while maintaining continuity in shipbuilding activity. The Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 (LMSB2) measures between 99.5 and 99.56 meters in length, with a beam of 14.4 meters and a draft of 3.9 meters, resulting in a displacement range of 2,400 to 2,500 tons depending on load conditions. Crew size is set at 93 personnel in the original Ada-class configuration, while the Malaysian variant increases accommodation to approximately 111 personnel, for additional mission specialists or aviation detachments.

Endurance is rated at 14 days without replenishment, extendable to about 21 days with logistical support, which allows sustained patrol operations across Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone. The hull incorporates angled surfaces and enclosed mast structures to reduce radar cross-section, combined with infrared suppression measures and acoustic isolation of machinery spaces. Internal compartmentalization divides the hull into multiple watertight sections, increasing survivability in case of hull breach or combat damage. The ship is constructed with a steel hull and superstructure elements aligned with the MILGEM design practices. Aviation facilities include a hangar and flight deck sized for helicopters up to 10 tons, placing the ship in the upper corvette category with a multi-mission capability. 

Propulsion is configured as CODAD, using four diesel engines connected to two shafts with controllable pitch propellers, a configuration selected for fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance complexity compared to gas turbines. The Ada-class uses a CODAG system (with a gas turbine), but the Malaysian variant omits this component. Therefore, the LMSB2's maximum speed exceeds 26 knots, compared to up to 30 knots for the Ada-class, while the cruising speed is maintained between 14 and 15 knots. Operational range is specified at 5,000 nautical miles at 14 knots, enabling the coverage of extended maritime zones without frequent refueling.

Electrical power is generated by four diesel generators, supplying propulsion auxiliaries, combat systems, and onboard services, while the fuel consumption rates are optimized for sustained deployment cycles. The configuration reflects Malaysia's operational priorities, which are focused on presence and coverage rather than rapid response at maximum speed. The combat system integrates a centralized combat management system developed by Havelsan, derived from the Genesis architecture, which processes sensor inputs and coordinates weapon engagements through a unified interface. Data exchange is enabled by the Link-Y system, designed for interoperability with NATO-equivalent tactical data links, allowing the ship's integration into joint and coalition operations.

The sensor suite includes a three-dimensional surveillance radar and a fire control radar produced by Aselsan, providing detection and tracking of air and surface targets. Identification friend or foe (IFF) is embedded within the radar system to reduce engagement errors. Electronic support measures include C-ESM and R-ESM systems to detect and classify electromagnetic emissions from communications and radar sources. A counter-drone capability is included, though the balance between kinetic interception and electronic disruption is not specified. Two decoy launchers provide soft-kill options against incoming missiles within system capacity limits. 

The armament of the Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 includes a 76 mm main gun comparable to OTO Melara's systems, providing engagement capability against surface targets and limited air threats. A 30 mm remote weapon station equipped with electro-optical targeting systems provides close-range defense against small surface threats and asymmetric attacks. Air defense is based on a vertical launch system (VLS) with sixteen cells, capable of quad-packing K-SAAM Haegung missiles developed by LIG Nex1, which increases the number of interceptors available for point defense. Anti-ship capability is provided by eight Atmaca missiles produced by Roketsan, with engagement ranges exceeding 200 kilometers depending on flight profile.

No onboard torpedo system is installed, limiting direct anti-submarine warfare capability. The weapons mix prioritizes surface strike and localized air defense over full-spectrum naval warfare like the Maharaja Lela-class frigate. Electronic warfare systems complement these kinetic systems in defensive scenarios. Two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), one 5-meter craft deployed through a stern ramp and one 7.5-meter craft launched via a side davit, could support boarding operations, search and rescue, and maritime interdiction. Navigation is handled by dual X-band radars integrated into an integrated bridge system that centralizes control of navigation, propulsion, and situational awareness.

Communications architecture includes internal networks and external links for coordination with other naval units and joint forces. Aviation support includes a helicopter refueling capability and the ability to operate unmanned aerial vehicles, extending surveillance coverage beyond onboard sensor range. The absence of onboard anti-submarine weapons shifts the reliance to embarked helicopters for detection and engagement of underwater threats. All these subsystems and assets allow the LMSB2 to cover a range of missions, including patrol, interdiction, and surveillance, within a constrained hull size. 

Within the Royal Malaysian Navy’s operational structure, the Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 replaces the Keris-class vessels and operates alongside Kedah-class offshore patrol vessels and Maharaja Lela-class frigates, which displace about 3,100 tons and include anti-submarine warfare systems. The new ships are assigned primary responsibility for anti-surface warfare, supported by point air defense using short-range interceptors. Secondary roles include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, maritime patrol, and operations in littoral environments where maneuverability and endurance are critical.

Deployment areas include the South China Sea for the enforcement of exclusive economic zones and protection of offshore energy infrastructure. The Strait of Malacca is also a key area for monitoring dense commercial shipping traffic and maintaining maritime security. The Sulu Sea remains another focus for counter-piracy and coordinated patrol operations with regional partners. Overall, the LMSB2 addresses the gradual retirement of legacy vessels built in the 1970s and 1980s that remain in service due to capability gaps.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.