Saifuddin Nasution: Second multi-purpose mission ship under construction in Turkiye to be completed by end‑2027

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 14 — Second Multi-Purpose Mission Ship, now under construction in Turkiye, is set to be completed and handed over to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency by the end of 2027, announced Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Following the first MPMS vessel arrival in March next year, a month prior to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA).

The Malaysian government signed a deal with Turkey two years ago to purchase a vessel, and it's now completed in under two years. Nasution expressed confidence in the decision due to the shorter construction time and reasonable cost compared to building it domestically. He plans to visit Istanbul at the end of the month to personally assess the vessel's progress, which is ahead of schedule.

This achievement strengthens MMEA's maritime security capabilities, especially in the complex security environment. The ministry is also assessing an offer for a second offshore patrol vessel from the US Coast Guard, based on a report by Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman, following an inspection with MMEA experts.

The decision on the offer will depend on the vessel's seaworthiness and repair costs. Malaysia previously received an offshore patrol vessel from the US Coast Guard, currently stationed in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.