Royal Malaysian Navy Commissioned Two Naval Training Ships.

The Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia; TLDM or RMN) commissioned two new naval training ships: KD Gagah Samudera (hull number 271) and KD Teguh Samudera (hull number 272). The ceremony took place April 26, 2018 at Lumut naval base in presence of the Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy Admiral Kamarul.

The Royal Malaysian Navy commissioned KD Gagah Samudera (hull number 271) and KD Teguh Samudera (hull number 272) during a ceremony at Lumut naval base. RMN picture.

The ships were built jointly by Malaysia and South Korea under the joint development and are based on a design by South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME).

Blocks of KD Gagah Samudera were built at DSME and assembled and fitted out by Malaysian shipyard NGV Tech. The second vessel was fully constructed in Malaysia.

The Royal Malaysian Navy commissioned KD Gagah Samudera (hull number 271) and KD Teguh Samudera (hull number 272) during a ceremony at Lumut naval base. RMN picture.

Both vessels have a displacement of about 1,300 tons, they are 76 meters long and have a helicopter deck. They have a range of 2,500 nautical miles and an endurance of 21 days. The ships are fitted with modern air and surface search radar, navigational radar, combat and communication systems. The ships crew consist in 50 sailors plus 60 trainees.

The current weapons fit consists in one MSI DS30M 30mm cannon and two M2HB Browning 12.7mm machine gun. There are provisions for additional systems including missiles allowing both vessels to take part in other missions besides training if the need arises. This was announced during the commisisioning ceremony.