DEPUTY Defence Minister Adly Zahari said in parliament today the first of the controversial littoral combat ships (LCS) is expected to be officially handed over to the Malaysian Navy in 2026.

He said delivery of the ships would happen in stages until 2029.

“The construction of the LCS vessel was started at the end of September this year. 

“Accordingly, the first LCS vessel is expected to be completed in August next year before it undergoes two tests – Harbour Acceptance Test and Sea Acceptance Trial – for a period of two years with the Malaysian Navy.

“Hence, the LCS vessels will be officially handed over to the Navy in stages from 2026 until 2029,” the minister told Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to Jamaludin Yahya (Pasir Salak-PN), who asked about the status of the LCS ships.

A few days ago, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in a declassified report posted on their website said construction of the ships would be extended by 83 more months and the last of the vessels would only be handed over to the Navy in 2029. 

The report said although the number was reduced to five from the initial six ships, construction costs had increased from RM9.13 billion to RM11.22 billion since December 11, 2021 when construction of the vessels had come to a standstill.

PAC said the sixth supplemental agreement signed on May 26 this year did not get the approval of the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Adly also told parliament today the ministry had considered PAC’s suggestions on how to improve implementation of the project. – October 12, 2023.