RMN Recommissions Two Upgraded Keris-class Patrol Crafts

Yulian Ardiansyah - : Jan 19, 2024 - : 5:38 pm

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) recommissioned two upgraded Keris-class Patrol Craft at Kuantan port on Friday (Jan. 19). Officially named KD Sri Sabah (46), and KD Sri Sarawak (48), both ships underwent major overhauls and modifications at the MSET shipyard...

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Not to be confused with the newer Keris-class Littoral Mission Ship (LMS), these patrol crafts were originally built and launched in 1963 by the Vosper company in Portsmouth, England as part of an 18-strong Keris-class Patrol Craft under RMN’s service. These two were also among 14 ships of this class transferred to the Malaysian Coast Guard in 2006, before being transferred back to RMN in 2020.

To date, aside from the two ships that have been recommissioned by the RMN, there are only a few remaining patrol crafts of this class that are still on active duty. Most others have either been scrapped or scuttled to serve as artificial coral reefs in various locations.

After undergoing major overhauls and modifications, some drastic differences are now visible on both ships compared to their original version. Gone are the original superstructure and aft Bofors 40 mm cannon, replaced by a longer superstructure, a crane, and a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB).

The open bridge construction on top of the old superstructure has also given way to a semi-covered one complete with glass windshields to better protect the crews from the elements and weather. New radars and other electronics can also be spotted mounted on a new mast.

All in all, these modifications and upgrades should be sufficient to extend the service life of both recommissioned ships for the next decade or so.

The Keris-class patrol craft is powered by two diesel engines and has a maximum speed of 28 knots. With a displacement of around 109 tonnes, a length of 32 meters, a 6-meter beam, and a draft of 1.1 meters, the upgraded ships are now armed with a 40 mm Bofors cannon on their bow, as well as mountings for two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns on both sides of the superstructure’s aft section.

Photo: RMN

Royal-malaysian-navy / Keris-class-patrol-craft /

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