LIMA 2023: Mitsubishi pitches MRSS to Southeast Asian navies

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has displayed a model of a Multi-Role Support Ship that it is proposing to meet requirements within the Royal Malaysian Navy. (Janes/Nishant Kumar)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) unveiled a model of its new Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2023.

An MHI spokesperson told Janes that work on the design of the new MRSS was initiated two to three years ago. However, the spokesperson said the design is not yet finalised and may change based on navies' requirements.

MHI's MRSS is positioned to meet requirements in the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and other regional navies. MHI said it is interested in participating in the RMN's MRSS programme but is waiting for the release of a request for information (RFI) or tender.

MHI's MRSS is a transport ship that can be used for various purposes including logistical deployment forhumanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

The MRSS has an overall length of 160 m, a maximum breadth of 24 m, and a draft of 6 m. Propulsion is provided by two sets of diesel engines that enable a top speed of 20 kt.

The vessel can accommodate a crew of 150 personnel and can carry up to500 personnel. It can also carry two landing craft mechanised (LCM), 24 large ground vehicles, and two medium-size helicopters. The MRSS is also fitted with a 76 mm gun and a 40 mm gun.