KOTA KINABALU, 13 FEB – The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has beefed itself against non-traditional threats like illegal immigrants and pirates, with the delivery of four new Fast Interceptor Crafts (FIC).
RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob expressed confidence in the navy being strengthened to oversee maritime safety, especially off the Sabah waters which are a ‘hot-bed’ for cross-border crime.
“The acquisition of the FIC is a testament to the RMN’s commitment to always be on standby for the challenges ahead, especially in dealing with non-traditional threats.
“The FIC is specially designed with efficiency, speed and accuracy to enable our armed forces to act quickly in preventing cross-border activities from occurring in the country’s waters.
“Additionally, the FIC’s internal layout has also been improved to provide more comfort to the crew in carrying out operations,” Abdul Rahman said at a ceremony to receive the four FIC G2000 Mk II from Gading Marine Industry Sdn Bhd (GMISB) at RMN’s Kota Kinabalu base.
Present were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak and GMISB managing director Datuk Jamalolail Mohd Yatim.
Abdul Rahman said the four FIC G2000 Mk II would serve as a force-multiplier and stationed at the RMN Region 2 headquarters in Sandakan, Sabah.
“The crafts will be ideal to curb and restrict the swarming cross-border criminal activities like the entry of illegal immigrants, smuggling, sea robbery, human trafficking and the invasion by foreign fishermen especially in shallow waters,” he said.
The FIC G2000 Mk II is equipped with an Escribano Remote Control Weapon Station (RCWS) which enables the firing of CANiK M2 Quick Change Barrel (QCB) 12.7mm Heavy Machine Guns (HMG).
The FIC G2000 Mk II has a length of 18 meters and is equipped with a more powerful engine and capable of reaching speeds of up to 52 knots,
Abdul Rahman lauded Gading Marine for successfully constructing the four crafts at its Lumut Industrial Port shipyard in Sitiawan, Perak within 16 months.
“The company should also be commended for successfully building and implementing the handover to the RMN in a timely manner, according to the contract specifications.
“This proves that the local defence industry, especially in the maritime sector, also has the ability and potential to be more advanced and competitive with the maritime defense industry globally.
“Rest assured that we will always work with other counterparts to ensure that efforts to preserve the integrity and protect national sovereignty can be implemented effectively and efficiently,” said Abdul Rahman.
This G2000 MkII is the third version of the G2000 series built by the Ivory Marine company.
The first two units of the FIC G2000 were previously handed over to the Marine Police in 2019, while the second version of six units of FIC G2000 Mk1 was handed over to the RMN in 2021.
It is learnt that owing to the excellent performance shown by the FIC G2000 MkI during ‘Ops Benteng’ against illegal immigrants in 2022, the government approved for the RMN to procure an additional 13 boats from Gading Marine, over three phases. – AIRTIMES.MY
