LIMA 2023: MMEA to receive two Tun Fatimah-class OPVs in 2023

A model of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's Tun Fatimah-class offshore patrol vessel displayed at LIMA 2023. (Janes/Nishant Kumar)

Malaysian shipbuilder TH Heavy Engineering (THHE) expects to deliver the first of three Tun Fatimah-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in July 2023, a spokesperson for MMEA confirmed to Janes at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2023 in Malaysia.

The first Tun Fatimah-class OPV was launched in October 2022, five years after its keel was laid down. It was originally scheduled for delivery to the MMEA in mid-2020. The construction of the second OPV started in 2021 and is expected to be delivered in October 2023. The first steel was cut for the third OPV in February 2022 and is expected to be delivered by April 2024, the spokesperson confirmed to Janes.

Tun Fatimah derives its design from Damen's OPV 1800 concept. It has an overall length of 83 m, an overall beam of 13.7 m, and a draught of 3.9 m. The OPV has a displacement of 2,616 tonnes and can accommodate a crew of 46.

The OPV is powered by two Caterpillar 3512C diesel engines, and it can attain a speed of 20 kt.

The OPV is also equipped with an air/surface search radar, an I-band radar, and an S-band radar. Armaments include Aselsan's SMASH 30 mm remote-controlled stabilised naval gun system and one 12.7 mm machine gun.

The OPV's flight deck can accommodate an AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter or equivalent. However, the helicopter type is not yet confirmed and is yet to be procured by the MMEA, the spokesperson said.

The Tun Fatimah-class OPVs will be used for patrolling Malaysian territorial waters and for search-and-rescue operations, the spokesperson said.