Malaysia Orders Second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship from Türkiye
Malaysia’s Home Ministry has officially signed a contract for a second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) for the Malaysian Coast Guard, valued at $83.75 million. The letter of acceptance was signed on January 7 during an official visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Türkiye. The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Istanbul, where Prime Minister Ibrahim and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan witnessed the exchange of documents between representatives of the Home Ministry and Desan Shipyard.
The new ship is scheduled for completion in December 2027. This order follows the first MPMS, which was also constructed by Desan Shipyard and ordered in February 2025. The Malaysian Coast Guard has emphasized the importance of this acquisition in enhancing its operational capabilities.
Specifications and Features of the New Vessel
The second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship will mirror the design of the first vessel, measuring 99 meters in length. It will accommodate a crew of 70 and has the capacity for an additional 30 passengers. The ship is designed for extended missions, with an at-sea endurance of up to 30 days. It will be equipped with advanced features, including four fast interceptor craft, two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a helicopter deck, medical facilities, and a detention facility.
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Notably, this new order will also include an unmanned surface vehicle (USV), marking Desan Shipyard’s first export of such technology. The UAV expected to be included is the HAVELSAN-developed BOZBEY, which is designed for low-altitude operations and can conduct fully autonomous missions. The BOZBEY UAV has a maximum take-off weight of approximately 40 kg and features capabilities such as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), with an endurance of up to six hours.
Following the contract signing, a delegation from the Malaysian Home Ministry visited Desan’s Istanbul shipyard on January 9 to inspect the progress of the first MPMS, which is currently 58.3% complete and ahead of schedule for its 2027 delivery.
Future Developments and Joint Ventures
In addition to the ship orders, Desan Shipyard has announced a joint venture to establish a new shipyard in Malaysia’s Malacca state. This project, in collaboration with Straits of Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (SM-WEZ) Corporation and Henry the Black Shipyard Sdn Bhd, will cover 9.42 hectares of reclaimed land in the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone. The shipyard, with an investment of RM 1.8 billion, is expected to be operational by 2028.
The new facility aims to serve as a hub for maritime tourism while providing shipbuilding, repair services, and other marine-related activities. This agreement represents Desan Shipyard’s first overseas investment and is intended to foster knowledge and technology transfer, as well as enhance capacity building in the region.
With these developments, Malaysia is taking significant steps to bolster its maritime capabilities and strengthen its partnership with Türkiye in the defense and maritime sectors.
