Malaysia’s LMS Batch II Project Welcomes Its Second Vessel Just Fortnight After First Launch
STM, Türkiye’s premier naval engineering firm, celebrated the launch of RAJA LAUT, the second vessel in a three-corvette project for the Royal Malaysian Navy, during a ceremony in Istanbul. This milestone follows the successful debut of the first vessel just two weeks prior, with the third ship slated for launch in August.
As a key player in the Turkish defense sector, STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. has reached another critical milestone in its naval export initiatives. On June 7, 2026, the second corvette within the LMS Batch-2 (Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2) program was launched at the Istanbul Shipyard.
The launch ceremony witnessed the presence of notable dignitaries, including His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor, Her Royal Highness Hajah Norashikin, Malaysian Deputy Minister of Defence Haji Adly bin Zahari, and STM’s Chairman, Prof. Dr. İhsan Kaya. Military delegates from both Türkiye and Malaysia also participated in this significant event.
Güleryüz: “Two Launches in Two Weeks”
During the ceremony, STM General Manager Özgür Güleryüz emphasized the strong cooperation between Türkiye and Malaysia, highlighting the rapid construction pace of the project:
“This landmark initiative marks the first Government-to-Government (G2G) defense procurement agreement between Türkiye and Malaysia, alongside Türkiye’s inaugural corvette export to the Asia-Pacific region. Following the launch of TUNKU LAKSAMANA ABDUL JALIL just two weeks ago, the introduction of RAJA LAUT today showcases STM’s engineering excellence. We are committed to maintaining this momentum, aiming for the third vessel’s launch in August and the full delivery of all three corvettes to the Royal Malaysian Navy by 2027.”
Vessels Named After Historical Figures
The vessels named in this project pay homage to significant figures in Malaysian history. The first ship, TUNKU LAKSAMANA ABDUL JALIL, honors the late son of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, while the second vessel, RAJA LAUT, commemorates a historical figure who greatly impacted Selangor’s maritime trade in the 19th century.
STM LMS Batch-2 Ship Specifications
The G2G Memorandum of Understanding for the Procurement of Defense Products between Türkiye and Malaysia was signed alongside the Handover Ceremony for the LMS Batch-2 Project on June 10, 2024. With significant rapid progress following the steel cutting on December 4, 2024, the keel laying occurred on April 8, 2025, leading to the first vessel’s launch on May 24, 2026.
As the main contractor, STM oversees all project phases, encompassing design, construction, and delivery. Responsibilities include ship design, project management, material procurement, integration, testing, and preparing related design documents.
The three corvettes produced for the Royal Malaysian Navy will be constructed in Türkiye, adhering to the specifications of the Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2 (LMSB2) Project. STM’s LMSB2 offers a highly adaptable platform meeting contemporary naval standards. Their performance has been validated in diverse conditions, showing exceptional reliability and ease of maintenance.
These Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) are equipped for various operational tasks, including Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), and Electronic Warfare (EW), utilizing advanced sensor and weapon systems, along with a sophisticated Command & Control System.
The construction will prominently involve Turkish defense industry firms, with STM sourcing critical equipment such as the Combat Management System and Gun Fire Control System from HAVELSAN, while ASELSAN supplies 3D Search Radar and other essential technologies. ROKETSAN is contributing through its ATMACA Surface-to-Surface G/M System.
