LUMUT: The Navy’s transformation plan should be modified and looked into due to recent challenges, including the late construction of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the dire straits of existing assets.

Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany said some 61% of existing assets had been operating beyond its designated period, thus the Navy was committed towards ensuring the success of the transformation plan.

“However, the transformation should be looked into and improved upon due to challenges such as the late construction of the LCS and other procurements.

“Thankfully, the Defence Minister has announced that the LCS project will be continued and it has injected some needed morale booster for the navy people,” he told reporters after attending the 88th Royal Malaysian Navy Day celebration on Wednesday (April 27).

The Navy still needed various other platforms as stated in the transformation plan, but the priority of the nation’s budget had shifted due to Covid-19, he said.

“We understand constraints faced by the government but I feel that the Navy needs to be at a state of preparedness to give the appropriate response demanded by the government given the current geopolitical situation.

“Thus, I hope plans to acquire more assets can be a reality, in line with the region’s maritime defence development,” he said.

In order to overcome problems such as ships in dire state and the late LCS project, the RMN has taken the initiative to repair existing ships, but it has to go through various processes such as Repowering, Obsolescence Programme and Obsolescence Management, Admiral Mohd Reza said.

“I would like to touch on the special development project that has been the priority to overcome the challenges. It is the second batch of the Littoral Mission Ship (LMSB2).

“The LMSB2’s combat capabilities are much better compared to the Keris class of the LMS.

“Such capabilities are very much needed as the gulf in combat capabilities experienced by the Navy is widening and at a critical stage,” he said.

The acquisition of the LMSB2 is in line with the recalibrated transformation plan, he added.

“We hope the government will give a positive consideration to ensure that the acquisition can be made soon,” he said.

Despite all the challenges, Admiral Mohd Reza said the Navy was always ready to maintain its presence at sea to face any eventuality through patrols conducted 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

“True to the motto “Sedia Berkorban” (Ready to Sacrifice), the Navy will continue to shoulder the responsibility in preserving the nation’s sovereignty and interests with utmost commitment,” he said.