Malaysia Ministry of Defence Proposed Adding 13 Fast Interceptor Craft to Secure National Waters

LUMUT, 26 April 2021 - The Ministry of Defence plans to add 13 more Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) worth more than RM120 million to further strengthen defence in border areas, especially in national waters.

Senior Minister of Defence, YB Dato' Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said so far, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has received the six boats worth a total of RM80 million on March 19.

According to him, the FIC through the Benteng Operations Transition Project (Op Benteng) built by Gading Marine Industry (M) Sdn Bhd (GMI) was placed in the Fast Combat Boat Squadron (FCB) to act as an element of national maritime defence support, especially to RMN ships in the assignment of Op Benteng in enhancing surveillance and bypass capabilities in shallow and island waters.

He said this during a press conference after witnessing the Fast Interceptor Craft Demonstration in conjunction with his working visit to RMNB Lumut Base, Perak, today.

Earlier, the YB Minister also officiated the BHP Kiosk located in the Armada Mutiara Camp, RMN Lumut Base. This kiosk is the first one provided by BHPETROL in the camp area which will provide facilities to more than 15,000 RMN members and families at this base.