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Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat Ship

History

The Maharaja Lela class is a group of littoral combat ships being built in Malaysia for the Royal Malaysian Navy. The design is derived from Naval Group's Gowind family and is intended to form an important part of the navy's modern surface combatant fleet.

The ships combine anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine systems with a flight deck and hangar for helicopter operations. The class has experienced major schedule delays, but construction and testing milestones resumed after the Malaysian government restarted the programme.

As of August 2026, the lead ship was undergoing sea trials, three ships had been launched, and Lumut Naval Shipyard planned to launch the fourth vessel in January 2027.

Development and construction

Malaysia selected a design based on the Gowind 2500 developed by France's Naval Group. The Malaysian programme was also known as the Second Generation Patrol Vessel programme. In July 2014, Malaysia's Ministry of Defence awarded Boustead Naval Shipyard a contract for six ships, according to Naval Technology.

The keel of the first ship, Maharaja Lela, was laid at Lumut in March 2016. The ship was launched in August 2017. Construction of subsequent vessels continued at the Malaysian yard. On 31 October 2018, Boustead Naval Shipyard laid the keel of the fourth ship, which was described at the time as the fourth of six planned vessels by Naval Today and Baird Maritime.

The programme subsequently suffered substantial delays. A later Malaysian government review led to the programme being restarted in 2023. Secondary reporting states that the planned class was reduced from six ships to five.

Testing and later milestones

On 28 January 2026, Maharaja Lela sailed under its own power during its first sea-going test. The test followed pierside checks and was intended to verify propulsion, electrical generation and air-conditioning systems before formal sea trials. Malaysia's defence minister said the lead ship's planned delivery had moved to December 2026, while delivery of the second vessel had moved to August 2027, according to Naval News.

The third ship, the future KD Sharif Mashor, was launched in February 2026. By August 2026, Lumut Naval Shipyard was preparing to launch the fourth Maharaja Lela-class ship in January 2027. This planned milestone followed the renewed construction and testing activity during 2026.

Design

The Maharaja Lela class is approximately 111 m long. The hull has an overall beam of about 16 m and a draught of about 3.8 m. The cited sources describe displacement as approximately 3,000 tonnes at standard load, while another published specification lists 3,100 tonnes without using the same load condition.

The ships are based on a modified Gowind design with measures intended to reduce radar, acoustic, infrared and magnetic signatures. An aft flight deck and hangar support the operation of a helicopter with a maximum take-off weight of up to 10 tonnes as well as unmanned aerial vehicles.

Propulsion

The class uses a combined diesel and diesel propulsion arrangement with four MTU diesel engines driving two variable-pitch propellers through two shafts. Published specifications give a maximum speed of approximately 28 knots and a range of about 5,000 nautical miles at an economical speed of 15 knots.

Weapons

The main gun is a BAE Systems 57 mm Mk 3 weapon installed forward in a low-observable mounting. Secondary guns are MSI-Defence Seahawk 30 mm weapons. Air defence is provided by VL MICA missiles launched from a 16-cell Sylver vertical launching system. Anti-submarine armament includes J+S 324 mm triple torpedo launchers.

The ships were originally intended to carry Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles for the anti-surface role. By 2026, however, those plans had been affected by Norwegian export-control restrictions. The Naval Strike Missile therefore should not be treated as confirmed current armament for the completed class configuration.

Sensors and combat systems

The sensor suite includes the Thales SMART-S Mk 2 three-dimensional surveillance radar and Rheinmetall TMEO Mk 2 and TMX/EO Mk 2 fire-control and electro-optical systems. Anti-submarine sensors include the Thales CAPTAS-2 low-frequency variable-depth sonar. Other published equipment includes SharpEye navigation radars, Thales Vigile radar electronic support measures and the Super Barricade decoy system.

The ships use Naval Group's SETIS combat management system. Communications equipment is reported to include the R&S NAVICS integrated communications system.

Program status

By August 2026, the class remained in the construction and acceptance phase. The lead ship had begun sea trials, while later vessels were at different stages of construction. The fourth ship was scheduled for launch in January 2027. The programme's revised schedule followed years of delay and a government-led restart.

Operators

Malaysia: The Royal Malaysian Navy is the intended operator of the Maharaja Lela-class ships. The vessels were still progressing through construction, testing and delivery milestones in 2026.

Specifications (Maharaja Lela class)

General characteristics

Type: Littoral combat ship / frigate
Length: 111 m
Beam: 16 m
Draught: 3.8 m
Displacement: Approximately 3,000 tonnes at standard load
Propulsion: Combined diesel and diesel system with four MTU diesel engines, two shafts and two variable-pitch propellers
Aviation facilities: Flight deck and hangar for one helicopter with a maximum take-off weight of up to 10 tonnes, with support for unmanned aerial vehicles

Performance

Maximum speed: Approximately 28 knots
Range: Approximately 5,000 nautical miles at 15 knots

Armament

Main gun: 1 × BAE Systems 57 mm Mk 3 naval gun
Secondary guns: MSI-Defence Seahawk 30 mm guns
Surface-to-air missiles: VL MICA missiles in a 16-cell Sylver vertical launching system
Torpedoes: J+S 324 mm triple torpedo launchers