Royal Malaysian Navy Receives Fast Interceptor Crafts

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has taken delivery of four fast interceptor crafts (FIC) to be deployed in Sabah. In a handover ceremony between Gading Marine Industry and the RMN, the vessels were handed over to the navy in the presence of the Minister of Defence Mohamed Khaled Nordin in Sepanggar Bay Naval Base in Sabah. The four FIC G2000 Mk II boats are the first batch of 13 units to be received in three phases.

RMN chief Adm Abdul Rahman Ayob said that in line with the Concept of Operation, the FIC will support the Navy’s maritime defence by enhancing monitoring capabilities and carry out interceptions or maritime interdictions in shallow waters, particularly around Sabah’s east coast. Furthermore, the vessels can take on non-traditional security threats that are prevalent in its area of responsibility, including cross-border crimes, smuggling, human trafficking, sea robberies and maritime piracy more effectively due to its enhancement from the previous Mk I variant. Of the four FICs, two will be stationed in Sepanggar Bay’s naval base while the rest will be deployed to Sandakan’s Naval Region 2.

Built in just 16 months in Sitiawan, Perak by Gading Marine Industry, the 18-metre long Mk IIs are equipped with remote control weapon stations, each fitted with a 12.7mm (.50BMG) Turkish-made CANiK M2 Quick Change Barrel heavy machine gun. Furthermore, the Mk IIs feature a more powerful engine which allows them to reach speeds of up to 52 knots with an upgraded configuration to provide more comfort to crews. shp/adj/dl (Pix:Defense Acquisition Program Administration)