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Malaysia confirms order of second Turkish-built Multi-Purpose Mission Ship.
Malaysia has confirmed the purchase of a second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship from Türkiye during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Ankara. The acquisition reinforces Malaysia’s maritime enforcement posture as regional pressure intensifies in the South China Sea.
Malaysia has officially confirmed it will procure a second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) from Türkiye, deepening defence cooperation with Ankara as part of its long-term maritime security strategy amid tensions in the South China Sea. The announcement came during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s three-day official visit to Türkiye from 6 to 8 January 2026, which also saw the formal establishment of the Malaysia-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and the signing of multiple strategic cooperation documents.
Malaysia has confirmed the procurement of a second Turkish-built Multi-Purpose Mission Ship, signaling a deeper defense partnership with Türkiye and a steady push to strengthen maritime enforcement in the South China Sea (Picture Source: DESAN Shipyard)
The second MPMS will be constructed by DESAN Shipyard, the same Turkish shipbuilder contracted for Malaysia’s first MPMS under a deal signed in 2023. According to the Turkish news, the new vessel is valued at RM339.85 million (approximately USD 83.75 million) and will be delivered to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) as part of the agency’s long-term fleet expansion and modernization effort. The contract was signed by Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs during the Ankara visit and witnessed by both heads of government.
The MPMS program has become a flagship component of Malaysia’s maritime security doctrine. As confirmed in open government communications, the platform is a 99-meter-long, multi-role mission ship designed for operations including search and rescue (SAR), maritime law enforcement, environmental monitoring, and humanitarian assistance. The vessel features capabilities to deploy fast interceptor boats, launch unmanned systems, and carry out long-range patrols, particularly across Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which faces increased pressure from illegal fishing and unauthorized incursions.
While specific system configurations have not been publicly disclosed, the MPMS is expected to support extended missions of up to 30 days at sea, with accommodations for approximately 70 crew and embarked mission teams. Based on existing Turkish naval export models and regional sources, the platform is likely to include a helideck for medium- to heavy-lift helicopters, boat launch-and-recovery systems, and onboard facilities such as a medical bay and detention compartments for interdiction operations.
The original MPMS, contracted in 2023 for RM304.29 million, is currently under construction at DESAN Shipyard. That vessel is understood to have formed the baseline for the second hull’s design, with possible mission-specific modifications for the MMEA. Both ships are intended to boost Malaysia’s maritime enforcement presence in key zones such as the eastern Sabah maritime corridor and the wider South China Sea.
Although detailed armament and sensor specifications have not been published in official statements, the MPMS platform is widely anticipated to feature a remote-controlled 30mm naval gun, a common system on similar Turkish-built vessels, supported by smaller-caliber mounts and a basic self-defense suite. Communications and sensor packages are also likely to include EO/IR surveillance systems, marine radars, and AIS receivers, consistent with the needs of multi-role enforcement missions. These assumptions remain speculative until confirmed by either the MMEA or DESAN.
The acquisition comes as Malaysia strengthens its strategic outreach to non-Western defense suppliers, particularly those offering adaptable, cost-efficient platforms suitable for Southeast Asia’s operational environments. Türkiye’s emergence as a naval exporter in the region has been fueled by prior defense collaborations, including STM’s involvement in Malaysian shipbuilding programs and increased engagement in unmanned aerial systems and cyber defense.
During the Ankara summit, Prime Minister Anwar and President Erdoğan oversaw the signing of seven government-to-government agreements, including those related to defense cooperation, digital economy, education, and industrial investment. The formation of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council is expected to institutionalize bilateral engagement across multiple sectors, signaling Kuala Lumpur’s interest in long-term defense-industrial collaboration with Ankara.
The MPMS initiative reflects Malaysia’s strategic intent to develop a sovereign, persistent maritime presence through enforcement-focused assets that also support humanitarian and non-military operations. For Türkiye, the contract reinforces its growing status as a defense partner to Indo-Pacific countries seeking alternatives to traditional suppliers, especially for platforms that blend operational endurance with versatile mission profiles.