Malaysian Coast Guard To Be Strengthened With Three Patrol Vessels, Japan's Ex-Ojika-Class Boat

The Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency's (MMEA's) patrol and surveillance capabilities will soon be strengthened with the  three new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) supplied by a local company, and an ex-Ojika-class ship from the Japan Coast Guard (JCG).

Malaysian company Destini has won a MYR738.9 million (USD166 million) contract from the government to supply the OPVs. Meanwhile, the ex-JCG vessel, formerly known as Erimo , was formally handed over to the MMEA on January 19 in Hiroshima, Japan, IHS Jane's 360 reported Tuesday.

The three new OPVs will need to be delivered, tested, and commissioned within 42 months from the date of contract award, while the ex-JCG ship is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia in the later part of 2017 after crew familiarization and training.