Malaysia Weighs Replacement Offers for Delayed Littoral Combat Ships

The Malaysian navy has spent over a decade waiting for its new littoral combat ships (LCS), a flagship upgrade meant to enhance its presence in contested waters. Malaysia is now weighing replacement offers from several countries, with Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin saying the government’s priority was to find a system that would not force costly redesigns of ships already under construction. "So far, there are three to four countries that have submitted offers," Khaled told state news agency Bernama during a visit to Turkey, where meetings were held between Malaysian officials and several parties to find a suitable replacement. "We are holding meetings, especially with the navy, to provide solutions, and the navy will certainly conduct evaluations of these offers before they are brought to the government," he said.