Construction of three offshore patrol boats to boost MMEA's performance

PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is confident that the construction of three of its latest offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), scheduled for completion in 2020, will strengthen the agency's operations and enforcement in the country's waters.
MMEA director-general, Admiral (Maritime) Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abu Bakar said this was because the 256 existing assets were inadequate to operate throughout the country's nearly 615,000 sq km of territorial waters. Besides, most of the assets are over 30 years old and are incapable of conducting sustained operations.
"There are times when the assets used by criminals are far superior to MMEA's and it is undeniable that the agency is in dire need of sophisticated new assets such as the OPV to support its functions.
"Malaysia's unique geographical position also requires a strong maritime defence to prevent our waters from becoming a strategic platform for certain quarters to extend their criminal activities, besides the importance of safeguarding our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) continuously and proactively."
He said this after officiating at the keel-laying ceremony for the OPVs as a symbolic start for the construction of the MMEA assets at the THEE Destiny Sdn Bhd shipyard in Pulau Indah, here, witnessed by Destini Berhad chairman Tan Sri Rodzali Daud.
Zulkifli said the construction of the three OPVs costing RM740 million proved the government's commitment to improving the security and sovereignty of the country's waters from any threats, including increasingly complex maritime crime.
The OPVs, built by a local company, Destini Berhad, together with TH Heavy Engineering Berhad, will be equipped with unmanned aircraft, 30mm Smash Aselsan cannon, X and S radars, a rigid hull inflatable boat, a fast interceptor craft, a detention room and a medical treatment room, besides being able to accommodate 70 crew members and 20 passengers at a time.
Zulkifli said the 83m long and 13.7m wide OPVs, capable of sailing at a speed of 21 knots would also be equipped with a helipad and could carry out long-distance surveillance and operations for 21 days without re-provision.
The three OPVs are proposed to be placed in the east coast of the peninsula, Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, he said. — Bernama