A Kedah-class corvette, KD Pahang, pictured during sea trials. Source: PSC-ND

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) plans to upgrade four of its Kedah (Meko 100 RMN)-class corvettes for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, an RMN official has confirmed.

The RMN operates six Kedah-class vessels, which were commissioned between June 2006 and December 2010. The vessels are based on the Blohm+Voss MEKO 100 design and were built by local prime contractor Penang Shipbuilding & Construction (now Boustead Naval Shipyard) in partnership with a German naval consortium.

To achieve the ASW upgrade, the RMN is proposing to equip the four vessels with torpedo launchers, towed array and hull-mounted sonars, and equipment to support the operation of an ASW helicopter, the official told the annual OPVs & Corvettes Asia Pacific conference in Singapore.

The other two vessels-in-class will be upgraded for anti-surface warfare (ASuW) operations. The RMN has said that it plans to equip the ships with an organic helicopter and surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles.

However, the service declined to give further details on systems being considered for both the ASW and ASuW upgrades. "We have given our recommendations on the type of equipment that the vessels need, but approval will depend on funding and other requirements from the headquarters," said the official.

According to IHS Jane's Fighting Ships , the Kedah-class is currently armed with an Otobreda 76 mm main gun, one 30 mm gun, and two 12.7 mm machine guns. The RMN has not indicated which ships will be upgraded for the ASW and ASuW roles
http://www.janes.com/article/50908/m...s-for-asw-role
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