Kasturi-class

Summary

Description

The Kasturi-class corvettes, KD Kasturi and KD Lekir, are part of the Royal Malaysian Navy and form the 22nd Corvette Squadron. These ships were introduced in the mid-1980s and are stationed at Lumut, serving areas like the Strait of Malacca and the Indian Ocean. The corvettes commemorate heroic figures from the 15th-century Malay epic Hikayat Hang Tuah, reflecting a tradition shared by other vessels in the Malaysian fleet.

The ships were constructed by the German shipyard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) on the basis of the FS 1500 design, with their launch in May 1983 and commissioning in August 1984. Initially, plans included a larger class, but only two were ultimately commissioned. The corvettes have recently undergone a significant Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), starting in 2009, which was carried out by Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation at the Boustead Naval Shipyard. This modernization effort revitalized the ships' capabilities across various spectrums and extended their operational service life by approximately 15 years.

The SLEP modernization involved comprehensive upgrades, especially to the ships' sensors, electronics, and armament. The installation of the TACTICOS Combat Management System, the Therma SKWS Decoy Launching System, and improvements to radars and sonar systems significantly enhanced their combat readiness. The main gun was changed from a 57 mm Bofors to a bow-mounted gun, in place of the former 100 mm gun, and other advancements in weaponry were made, including new anti-air and anti-submarine weapons. While there is some uncertainty regarding the Exocet anti-ship missiles, it is suggested that they have been updated as part of the refurbishment.

Propulsion for the Kasturi-class is provided by a CODAD propulsion system, which includes four MTU diesels that drive two shafts, allowing for a maximum speed of 28 knots and a substantial range at 14 knots. Moreover, the ships have a helideck suitable for particular navy helicopters and plans to incorporate UAV systems in the future. Though KD Lekir's modernization was incomplete at the time, both corvettes partook in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in March 2014, further proving their operational relevance post-SLEP.

Technical specifications