Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD PENDEKAR sinks after flooding incident.

According to information published by the Malaysian MoD on August 25, 2024, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has reported a serious incident involving the KD Pendekar, which experienced severe flooding.
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The Handalan-class missile boat KD Pendekar. (Picture source: Malaysian MoD)

The vessel was operating two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop, Johor, when it reportedly struck an underwater object, leading to a significant breach.

The flooding, which began in the ship's engine room, quickly spread and could not be contained despite efforts by the crew. All crew members were safely evacuated after attempts to control the flooding and stabilize the ship failed.

In the afternoon, the KD Pendekar completely sank at her position two nautical miles south-east of Tanjung Penyusop, Johor.

Royal Malaysian Navy's incidents

On April 23, 2024, involving a mid-air collision between two helicopters, an AgustaWestland AW139 and a Eurocopter Fennec, during a rehearsal for the Navy's 90th anniversary parade at the Lumut Naval Base. Both helicopters, part of the Naval Air Wing's 502nd and 503rd Squadrons, collided after one clipped the rotor of the other while executing a maneuver. The crash resulted in the death of all ten personnel onboard the two helicopters.

KD Lendekar

The KD Pendekar was a Handalan-class fast attack craft (FAC) of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). This class of vessel, including the KD Pendekar, was built by Karlskrona Varvet Shipyard in Sweden and entered service in the late 1970s. These ships are a modified variant of the Swedish Norrköping-class FAC and were designed primarily for fast, agile naval warfare, capable of engaging surface targets with a variety of onboard weapons systems.

The primary armament of these vessels includes a 57mm Bofors gun, which is a naval artillery piece suitable for both anti-aircraft and anti-surface roles. Additionally, the ships are outfitted with Exocet anti-ship missiles.