The Coastal Mission Ship (LMS) has been formally transferred to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The Navy said the ship was handed over at Wuchuan Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. in Wucang Port, Qidong, China on Tuesday (December 31).

The Malaysian government delegation, led by Datuk Ahmed Husani Abdul Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence (Procurement), inspected the ship and participated in a demonstration voyage.

"After the inspection, a signing ceremony was held to commemorate the official transfer of the ship from Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNSSB) to the Malaysian government," the Navy said in a statement on Tuesday.

The ceremony was witnessed by General Datuk Said Zahr Putra Said Abdullah, commander of the Navy's Eastern Fleet, and BNSSB CEO Ee Teck Chee.

"The construction of the vessel named Keris began on July 31, 2018 at the Wuchuan Shuangliu Manufacturing Base in Wuhan.

"It went through various tests before being handed over to the government," the Navy said.

The ship is scheduled to serve in a ceremony full of naval etiquette and traditions on January 6th, which will be chaired by Admiral Dan Sri Mohd Riza Mohad Sonny.

It added that the ship was one of five ships in the fleet renewal plan.

"The procurement contract between the Ministry of Defense and BNSSB was signed in cooperation with China Shipbuilding Industry and Offshore Engineering International Co., Ltd. (CSOC) on March 21, 2017.

"The project is the first capital defense asset obtained from China. The Navy said that the second ship is planned to be handed over to the government in April 2020, while the remaining ships are expected to be handed over to the government in mid-2021.

(Source by The Star)