Malaysia to Confirm Second MPMS Order During Türkiye Visit

08 Januari 2025

The second MPMS for MMEA is valued at RM339.85 million (approximately US$83.75 million) (image: Desan)

Malaysia will confirm plans to procure a second MPMS from Türkiye, with the decision linked to PM Ibrahim’s official visit and Foreign Ministry disclosures.

Malaysia will confirm plans to procure a second multi-purpose mission ship (MPMS) from Türkiye, with the decision linked to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit and Foreign Ministry disclosures.

Malaysia is set to expand the fleet of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency through the procurement of a second multi-purpose mission ship (MPMS) from Türkiye, according to Malaysian media reports citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, commonly referred to as Wisma Putra.

Based on information released by the Foreign Ministry, the acquisition is expected to be formalised during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ongoing three-day official visit to Türkiye. The visit programme includes the handover of a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for the MPMS, alongside the signing and witnessing of several memoranda of understanding covering economic, financial, technological and strategic cooperation.

The second MPMS is valued at RM339.85 million (approximately US$83.75 million). While the Malaysian statement did not specify the shipyard responsible for construction, Malaysian media assessments indicate that the contract is most likely to be executed by DESAN Shipyard, which is currently building the first MPMS for Malaysia.

The initial MPMS procurement, valued at RM304.29 million, was concluded through Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs and covers a 99-metre-long vessel designed to carry a crew of around 70 personnel. The platform is intended to strengthen Malaysia’s maritime security posture, particularly in the South China Sea, with roles including maritime surveillance, deterrence against incursions, search and rescue operations, and logistical support. The design allows for the deployment of fast boats and supports multi-mission operations.

In parallel with the defence procurement, Wisma Putra stated that additional agreements are expected to be concluded during the visit. These include memoranda of understanding between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, cooperation agreements between EXIM Bank Malaysia and Turk Eximbank, as well as institutional cooperation between Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia and SETA.

(TurDef)