SHAH ALAM: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) today took delivery of seven fast interceptor craft (FIC) ordered for the on-going Op Benteng. Another one will be delivered this October. The FICs – costing RM6.3 million – will be primarily used in MMEA operations in the Strait of Malacca.
Benteng class FIC. MMEA
The seven FICs will be used by several MMEA state and zone units, says a post on MMEA Facebook page.
Two of the FICs will be operated by the MMEA Special Action Team while Perak, Malacca and Negri Sembilan state MMEAs will received one each. Another two FICs will be operated by Kuala Kurau and Batu Pahat zone units. The Kuala Perlis MMEA zone unit will received the eight FIC this October.
One of the Benteng class FIC of the MMEA. MMEA picture
The MMEA posting did not identify the type of the FIC but it appears that these look like the UES Marine P38 high speed interceptors, four of which were purchased by the RMN for use in operations in ESSCOM AOR in 2015. ESSCOM also operate one P38 interceptor. MMEA did not named the company that won the contract but the posting showed pictures of personnel from both Muhibbah Engineering and UES at the handover ceremony.
PASKAL P38 interceptor and RHIB near Tun Sharifah Rodziah sea base. Pix taken on 12/10/2015 by Joint Force Command.
The MMEA designated the FICs as Kelas Benteng as the procurement of the assets were done for Op Benteng under the National Task Force. Op Benteng was launched on May 12 as a coordinated operations to prevent the spread of Covid 19 among the Malaysian Armed Forces, police, MMEA and other enforcement agencies
Kelas Benteng FIC. MMEA
As for the FICs for the RMN, there is no update yet.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (61)
Good. At least the recapitalization programme is still running despite the lack of big ticket items being procured
At least something maritime gets done. But MMEA needs more of them.
Nice, another good news for Malaysia security agencies.. I also wait for the tender result of the 24 units 4x4 weapon carrier and 20 units Special Force 4x4 SOV/RIV that also already issued almost the same time with 3 units of MUH chopper for RMN. Hope there will be update about this soon.
P38s as FIC? Well it is cheap enough for the task so why not.
@ dundun
those damen 1800 OPVs for MMEA not big enough for you?
They have gotten big ticket items. What is needed now is a continuation of the same through to 2030.
on the topic of FIC, but for the navy tender. did the FSD150 make the shortlist?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-638mHLePWyQ/XN5HHMg0g3I/AAAAAAAAoEE/pg0onWTRBA4wQ63kX6n2T8eJWwBeEin2ACLcBGAs/s1600/FSD150BWO_image1-thumb.jpg
Marhalim,
any official news on Navy's RFP for 2nd batch LMS?
Reply
None AFAIK
...
How long has that been? 2017? What I meant is what the new PN govt bought post MCO.
@ dundun
post Mco? sabar lah, even those OPV is still not completed yet. you cant buy big ticket items every year. also new budget will be in 2021-2025.
I have a question re: the FIC. It looks exposed and the men will be exposed to the elements. I would have thought they would have gone for something with a bit more cover.
Reply
Yup
@Tom Tom
They could put a tarp over the passenger area I guess. Perhaps being open top is less threatening so people are less guarded when approached by MMEA.