KUANTAN: After serving the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for 14 years, the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) patrol crafts, KD Sri Sabah and KD Sri Sarawak, have been given a new lease on life.
Both patrol crafts had been part of the Navy service since 1967. They were decommissioned and handed to the MMEA when the agency was established in 2006. They were returned to the navy's inventory on June 10, 2020.
Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob said both the ships, which underwent a three-year refit in Kuala Terengganu, will return to active service with the navy.
"In the past, the navy had 27 units of the patrol crafts, some of which were transferred to the MMEA. The MMEA decommissioned some of the vessels, leaving only four. KD Sri Sabah and KD Sri Sarawak will soon join petrol crafts KD Sri Perlis and KD Sri Johor at the Sandakan (Sabah) naval base.
"Both KD Sri Sabah and KD Sri Sarawak are the last batch of the patrol craft class received from the MMEA. The boats will be in service for about 15 years before retiring," he told reporters after today's naming and commissioning ceremony for both patrol crafts at the Tanjung Gelang naval base.
Abdul Rahman also said both vessels, over 50 years old, had undergone extensive maintenance for the new look, including 'replating' and 'repowering' to meet the current operation needs while at sea.
"Major works were carried out to ensure both vessels were in top condition to return to active service. It is similar to a new ship, with improvements to its exterior and interior, and it is equipped with a new system. The hull design has been maintained.
"Currently, the patrol crafts will be temporarily stationed at Tanjung Gelang naval base for a series of exercises, training sessions and operations before they report for duty in Sandakan.
"The move to put the vessels back into service is only an interim move while the navy waits for new assets to be delivered," he said.
