Turkey’s Desan Shipyard commenced construction of the second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS 2) for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), with a steel-cutting ceremony held on 11 February 2026.
The milestone follows a letter of agreement signed as recently as 7 January 2026. The first 99m-long MPMS is already more than 58% complete, and the coast guard vessel is scheduled for delivery next year.
The MPMS vessels are conceived as MMEA “motherships”, with provisions for carrying four fast interceptor boats and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), likely the Bozbey vertical-take-off-and-landing UAV.
With a core crew of 70 and accommodation for 30 additional personnel – as well as detention facilities for up to 45 individuals – the ship type is designed to remain at sea for up to 30 days without resupply.
The MMEA said the vessels will enhance operational readiness and expand its enforcement patrol radius to protect Malaysia’s maritime interests.
In parallel, Desan Shipyard signed a joint venture and cooperation agreement to establish a shipyard at the Straits of Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone.
The new 171-acre facility will be the company’s first overseas shipyard investment, and it will undertake new-build construction, as well as maintenance, repair and modernisation work for both military and commercial vessels.
Construction of the facility is set to begin in Q1 of 2026, with shipbuilding operations expected within two years.
Separately, Lumut Naval Shipyard launched and named the third Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), Sharif Mashor, for the Royal Malaysian Navy on 10 February.
The much-delayed LCS programme, based on Naval Group’s Gowind-class corvette, also achieved another milestone when the first ship of the class conducted its maiden sea trial on 28 January 2026.
by Chen Chuaren
