Malaysia’s new warship can hunt submarines but cannot sink a foe

Malaysia’s navy is preparing to take delivery of a warship fully equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and electronic warfare – everything, that is, except a way to sink an enemy ship.

After nearly a decade of delays, financial scandal and shipyard mismanagement the Royal Malaysian Navy’s first littoral combat ship is finally due in December. But it will arrive missing any anti-ship missiles.

Defence officials insist the timeline is unchanged. “The decision does not affect the delivery schedule,” the ministry told parliament in a written reply on July 7, noting the vessel would still carry anti-submarine, anti-air and electronic warfare systems.

What the ship will not carry, for now, is a way to strike enemy ships – the capability that was meant to define the class.