Keris-class patrol craft explained

The Keris class is a series of patrol crafts designed and built for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The vessels meet the requirements of Malaysia's marine defense by providing the ability to counter low intensity combat such as anti-piracy and border patrol.

Development

A total of 18 ships in two subclasses were ordered from Vosper Ltd in the 1960s to 1970s. Four ships still in service as of 2023. Some of the retired ships was handed over to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.[1]

Major operation

The Keris class was the oldest ships still in service in the RMN. These ships were involved in major operations of the Malaysia-Indonesia confrontation and Operation Terumbu to ensure the success of the Spratly Islands conquest.[2]

Ships of the class

Source:[3]

Name Pennant number Builder Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Status
Keris-subclass
KD Keris34Vosper Ltd196619662018Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Lang (3132). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef.
KD Sundang36Vosper Ltd196619662018Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Segantang (3133).
KD Badek37Vosper Ltd1966196611 November 2014Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Jarak (3134). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef off Redang Island, Terengganu.
KD Renchong38Vosper Ltd1967196717 September 2016Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Kuraman (3139). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef near Gaya Island in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.
KD Tombak39Vosper Ltd196719672015Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Siamil (3140). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef near Payar Island Marine Park, Kedah.
KD Lembing40Vosper Ltd1967196711 November 2014Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Ligitan (3145). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef off Perhentian Islands, Terengganu.
KD Serampang41Vosper Ltd196719672018Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006. Scrapped.
KD Panah42Vosper Ltd196719672018Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Kukup (3135).
KD Kerambit43Vosper Ltd196719671 December 2014Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Pemanggil (3141). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef off Kuraman Island, Labuan.
KD Beladau44Vosper Ltd1967196723 December 2014Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Bidong (3142). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef off Rawa Island, Mersing, Johor.
KD Kelewang45Vosper Ltd196719672015Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Sempadi (3136). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef off Payar Island, Kedah.
KD Rentaka46Vosper Ltd196719672018Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Satang (3143). Scrapped.
KD Sri Perlis47Vosper Ltd19681968Active
KD Sri Johor49Vosper Ltd19681968Active
Sabah-subclass
KD Sri Sabah3144Vosper Ltd19631964/20232018Active. Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Labas (3137). Transferred back to Royal Malaysian Navy and recommissioned in 2023.
KD Sri Sarawak3145Vosper Ltd19631964/20232012Active. Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Sipadan (3131). Transferred back to Royal Malaysian Navy and recommissioned in 2023.
KD Sri Negeri Sembilan3146Vosper Ltd196319642017Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Nyireh (3138). Sunk to serve as an artificial reef in 2017 off Payar Island Marine Park, Kedah.
KD Sri Melaka3147Vosper Ltd196319642018Transferred to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on 27 June 2006 and renamed as KM Rumbia (3144). Scrapped.

Notes and References

  1. https://www.malaysiandefence.com/keel-laying-ceremony-1st-lcs/sandakan_sabah_naval-base-kd-sri-perlis-01/ KD Sri Perlis Image
  2. Web site: KD Sri Perlis. 7 March 2018. PressReader. 1 September 2023.
  3. Web site: RMN Official Page-History.