KD Lekiu

KD Lekiu is a guided missile frigate currently serving in the Royal Malaysian Navy and one of the major naval assets for Malaysia. Together with her sister ship Jebat, Lekiu serves in the 23rd Frigate Squadron of the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Development

The ships were built by Yarrow Shipbuilders of Glasgow of United Kingdom based on the F2000 frigate design. Lekiu was launched in December 1994 and commissioned May 1999. Although the Lekiu was launched before the Jebat, but Jebat carries the lower pennant number compared to Lekiu to signify the seniority of this ship, which accommodates the Admiral of the Royal Malaysian Navy..

Characteristic

As for the weapon systems, Lekiu equipped with one Bofors [57 mm L/70 naval artillery gun|Bofors 57 mm gun] and two 30mm DS30M [Mark 2 Automated Small Calibre Gun|MSI DS30M 30 mm cannon]. For the missiles, there was 16 Sea Wolf surface-to-air missile for air defence and 8 MM40 Exocet block 2 anti-ship missile for anti surface warfare. Two triple Eurotorp B515 with A244-S ASW torpedoes also installed for anti submarine warfare.