It is interesting to note that there was an 18 metres long Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) on the right side of the entrance to Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), the venue that hosted LIMA 2023 recently. This was a real deal, not a dummy, brought to the exhibition by Malaysia’s up and coming shipyard, Gading Marine Industry (M) Sdn Bhd.
In fact, Gading Marine brought two FICs to LIMA 2023, one parked at MIEC and another one fully operational at the Resorts World harbour for test ride for potential clients.
We were made to understand that these FICs are the latest model, designated as the FIC G2000 MKII. These FICs are built in Malaysia as deliverables of the Contract signed by the Company with the Government of Malaysia in 2022 for the supply of 13 units of FICs to be used by the Royal Malaysian Navy.
For the record, Gading Marine delivered 2 units FIC G2000 (first version) to the Royal Malaysian Police (Marine Force) in 2019 and another 6 units FIC G2000 MKI (second version) to the RMN in 2021. Thus, based on its capabilities and performance, it is not surprising that the RMN ordered more FICs in order to fulfill their operational tasks.
Armed with 12.7mm RCWS, FIC G2000 MkII is the evolution of G2000 series by Gading Marine.
Hence, the FIC G2000 MK II came with numerous improvements such as the addition of a Remote Control Weapon Station (RCWS) 12.7mm, a higher maximum speed thanks to a pair of more powerful engines and waterjets, and some internal modifications in order to provide greater comfort and ease of operations for the crew and troops embarked.
The FIC G2000 MK II can fulfil various roles and functions such as coastal patrol & surveillance, rapid response to any incidents at sea, clandestine operation, search & rescue operation and intercept mission for navies as well as other enforcement agencies.
With these new FICs, Gading Marine has once again demonstrated its capabilities in producing hardware that strictly meets international standards set by its client.
