Malaysia's second Littoral Combat Ship Raja Muda Nala enters water as construction reaches final stages.

On May 9, 2025, the second ship of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Maharaja Lela-class frigate program, KD Raja Muda Nala (hull number 2502), was launched at the Lumut Naval Shipyard. The event marked the vessel’s downslip into the water, following its transfer to the shiplift area on May 7 and the installation of its mast and radome on May 5, as well as its main surveillance radar (MSR) on May 3. The ship, also known as the Littoral Combat Ship 2 (LCS 2), is now docked beside LCS 1, KD Maharaja Lela (2501), at the floating jetty for the continuation of outfitting.
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The KD Raja Muda Nala frigate, also known as the Littoral Combat Ship 2 (LCS 2), is confirmed to carry eight NSM anti-ship missiles, which will be installed and tested as part of the outfitting process. (Picture source: Lumut Naval Shipyard)

According to statements by the shipyard and RMN personnel, KD Raja Muda Nala is expected to remain docked for three weeks as part of its post-launch fitting phase. It joins a group of five Royal Malaysian Navy ships currently under maintenance or construction at the Lumut Naval Base: KD Maharaja Lela, KD Teguh Samudera (272), KD Ledang (13), KD Jebat (29), and KD Raja Muda Nala.

The Maharaja Lela-class, also known as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, is based on an enlarged version of the Gowind-class corvette designed by France’s Naval Group, formerly DCNS. The program originated as Malaysia’s Second Generation Patrol Vessel (SGPV) initiative, launched in 2011 to replace aging naval platforms. The government received multiple proposals, including the MEKO 200 design from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and the Sigma 10514 class from Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding. The contract was awarded to Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC), with Naval Group designated as the design authority. Under the initial RM9 billion agreement, six ships were to be constructed in Malaysia, with hull construction at Lumut and electronic components assembled in Cyberjaya. The RMN originally planned to commission the first vessel by 2019, with five more entering service at six-month intervals.

Following the announcement, the design was modified to increase displacement from 2,700 tons to 3,100 tons and to include additional sensors and weapon systems. However, by 2020, none of the ships had been delivered. Amid rising concerns about delays and financial irregularities, the Malaysian government considered alternative completion pathways. A proposal to shift construction responsibilities to Naval Group was ultimately rejected by parliament. The government reaffirmed BHIC’s role as the shipbuilder in 2021. Investigations by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that RM1.4 billion had been misappropriated, and that the program had been awarded through direct negotiations, bypassing open tender processes. These findings led to legal action, including the August 2022 indictment of former BHIC managing director and ex-RMN Chief Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor on charges of criminal breach of trust. Therefore, the program’s cost later increased due to delays and restructuring. In 2023 terms, the unit cost reached RM2.24 billion, or approximately $948 million (2024 USD), with the revised overall cost reaching RM11.2 billion for five ships. The sixth ship was eventually cancelled.

Each Maharaja Lela-class frigate has a full-load displacement of 3,100 tons, an overall length of 111 meters, a beam of 16 meters, and a draught of 3.85 meters. (Picture source: Lumut Naval Shipyard)

Each Maharaja Lela-class frigate has a full-load displacement of 3,100 tons, an overall length of 111 meters, a beam of 16 meters, and a draught of 3.85 meters. Propulsion is provided by four MTU 20V 1163 M94 diesel engines in a Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) configuration, each rated at 7,400 kW, for a total of 29,600 kW (39,694 shp). The ship is capable of reaching speeds of up to 28 knots and has a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. Endurance is rated at 21 days. The complement is 138 crew. Aviation facilities include a stern helicopter platform and enclosed hangar supporting various helicopter and UAV types weighing up to 10 tons, including the Super Lynx 300, AS555 Fennec, AW139, and EC725.

The ships are equipped with Naval Group’s SETIS Combat Management System. Their sensor suite includes the Thales SMART-S Mk2 3D search radar and the Rheinmetall TMEO Mk2 and TMX/EO Mk2 electro-optical fire control systems. For anti-submarine warfare, the ships carry the Thales Underwater Systems (TUS) suite with a Kingklip Mk.1 hull-mounted sonar and a CAPTAS-2 towed array sonar. Electronic warfare capabilities consist of the Thales Vigile radar electronic support system and Wallop’s Super Barricade decoy launcher. Armament includes a stealth-enclosed Bofors 57 mm naval gun, two MSI DS30M 30 mm cannons, eight Naval Strike Missiles (NSM), and two triple J+S fixed torpedo launchers. Sixteen Sylver vertical launch system (VLS) cells are allocated for VL MICA surface-to-air missiles, although the missile systems have not yet been delivered. Integration of the NSM system is being handled through a Letter of Award granted to Kongsberg in 2015, valued at €20 million, covering launchers, integration hardware, and interface adaptation for the SETIS system.

Five ships remain under construction or awaiting launch within the class. KD Maharaja Lela (2501) was laid down on March 8, 2016, and launched on August 24, 2017. It is undergoing fitting-out and sea trials, with commissioning delayed until 2026. KD Raja Muda Nala (2502) was laid down on February 28, 2017, and launched on May 9, 2025. KD Raja Mahadi (2503) was laid down on December 18, 2017, and has not yet been launched. KD Mat Salleh (2504) was laid down on October 31, 2018. KD Tok Janggut (2505) has not yet been laid down. KD Mat Kilau (2506) was cancelled.

The Maharaja Lela-class, also known as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, is based on an enlarged version of the Gowind-class corvette designed by France’s Naval Group. (Picture source: Lumut Naval Shipyard)

KD Maharaja Lela was the first ship of the class to be launched. Its construction began with steel cutting in December 2014 in the Netherlands, followed by a second ceremony in June 2015 in Malaysia. The vessel was officially launched on August 24, 2017, in the presence of the Sultan of Perak and the Queen of Perak. The ship remains at the floating jetty at Lumut Naval Base and continues with fitting and integration processes. It shares the full configuration of systems planned across the class, including the radar suite, sonar systems, VLS capacity, and electronic warfare defenses.

KD Raja Muda Nala was transferred to the shiplift on May 7, 2025, and had its radar and mast installed between May 3 and May 5. The vessel was launched on May 9, 2025, and is currently at the floating jetty for outfitting, expected to last three weeks. The ship was originally to be named KD Syarif Masahor, but the name was changed at around 70 percent completion of construction. The final name, KD Raja Muda Nala, honors a historical Selangor warrior. The vessel incorporates the same hull dimensions, propulsion layout, radar and sonar systems, and weapons configuration as KD Maharaja Lela.

KD Raja Muda Nala is integrated with the SMART-S Mk2 search radar, the SETIS combat system, and the CAPTAS-2 and Kingklip sonar systems. It also includes Thales electronic warfare suites and Barricade decoy systems. The ship is fitted for, but not yet armed with, 16 Sylver VLS cells designated for VL MICA SAMs. It is confirmed to carry eight NSM anti-ship missiles, which will be installed and tested as part of the outfitting process. The integration process follows the same contractual framework defined in the 2015 Letter of Award signed at LIMA, ensuring compatibility between the NSM system and the ship’s software infrastructure.

Alongside KD Maharaja Lela and other vessels currently under construction, KD Raja Muda Nala is part of the first generation of larger surface combatants produced locally in Malaysia. The Maharaja Lela-class is designed to enhance the Royal Malaysian Navy’s capacity to perform maritime patrol, surveillance, and combat operations across Southeast Asian maritime zones. The program remains under close public and political scrutiny due to delays, procurement decisions, and budgetary outcomes. The launch of LCS 2 marks a continuation of the program’s phased progress and represents the next operational step in a procurement effort that has experienced over a decade of extended timelines and revisions.