Malaysia has acquired a large Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) from Turkish shipbuilder Desan, valued at $68.8 million.
The 99-meter (324-foot) vessel is capable of continuous operations at sea for 30 days, significantly enhancing the Royal Malaysian Navy’s ability to patrol and secure critical maritime routes.
The vessel is equipped with four interceptor boats, two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a helicopter landing deck for rapid deployment and recovery of aerial assets.
Additionally, it features medical facilities and a detention center, as noted by Adm. Datuk Haji Mohd Rosli bin Abdullah, Director-General of the Malaysian Maritime Administration.
Once delivered, the MPMS will strengthen Malaysia’s defense capabilities in response to increasingly complex maritime security threats, including foreign vessel incursions and cross-border criminal activities.
‘Multi-Faceted Partnership’
The acquisition was made during a recent visit by a Malaysian delegation to Ankara to discuss potential collaborations in defense.
Malaysia and Turkey have previously signed similar agreements, such as a 2024 deal with Ankara-based STM for three Littoral Mission Ships for the Royal Malaysian Navy.
In September 2023, the Malaysian government announced its intent to procure Turkish-made drones and helicopters to bolster its military’s aerial capabilities.
These investments aim to address a variety of challenges in Malaysian territory, including maritime boundary disputes and threats such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing.
“Malaysia’s broader defense engagement with Turkey now spans a range of platforms, including UAVs, tanks, and naval vessels — illustrating a multi-faceted partnership rooted in mutual strategic interests,” Abu Dhabi-based defense expert Serhat Süha Çubukçuoğlu told Breaking Defense.
