KD Jebat
KD Jebat is a Lekiu-class guided missile frigate currently serving in the Royal Malaysian Navy and one of the major naval assets for Malaysia. Jebat serves in the 23rd Frigate Squadron of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
KD Jebat moored in Sydney Harbour in October 2013 | |
History | |
---|---|
Name: | KD Jebat |
Builder: | Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow |
Launched: | May 1995 |
Commissioned: | 10 November 1999 |
Identification: |
|
Status: | In active service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | Lekiu-class frigate |
Displacement: | 2,270 long tons (2,306 t) full load |
Length: | 106 m (347 ft 9 in) |
Beam: | 12.8 m (42 ft 0 in) |
Draught: | 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) |
Propulsion: | 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 16,000 bhp (11,931 kW) |
Speed: | 28 knots (32 mph; 52 km/h) |
Range: | 5,000 mi (8,000 km) |
Complement: | 146 with 18 officers |
Sensors and processing systems: |
|
Electronic warfare & decoys: |
|
Armament: |
|
Aircraft carried: | 1 × Super Lynx 300 helicopter |
Aviation facilities: |
|
Development
The ship's class, built by Yarrow Shipbuilders (now BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, is based on the F2000 light frigate design. Jebat was launched in May 1995 and commissioned in May 1999. Jebat carries the lower pennant number (F 29) to signify the seniority of this ship, which accommodates the Admiral of the Royal Malaysian Navy. (Hang Jebat succeeded Hang Tuah as Laksamana (Admiral) of the Malacca Sultanate, while Hang Lekiu was never made a Laksamana.)
The ship was a huge jump in capability compared to the frigates then operated by the Royal Malaysian Navy, F24 KD Rahmat and F76 KD Hang Tuah (ex-HMS Mermaid). Nevertheless, the delivery and operational status of Jebat were delayed due to integration of combat systems problems. The purchase of this ship also involved a major Transfer of Technology program as well as an offset program where some portion of the contract value would involve purchases and services contracted to Malaysian companies.
External links
- Official Website of the Royal Malaysian Navy
- Lekiu class, Malaysia at naval-technology.com