KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Malaysian Navy has commissioned its fourth Keris-class Littoral Mission Ship (LMS), KD Rencong, into service at the Eastern Fleet Command headquarters in Sepanggar here.

       Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza Mohd Sany attended the commissioning ceremony on Friday (Jan 28).

       The latest LMS will join the three similar vessels, KD Keris, KD Sundang and KD Badik, as part of the 11th LMS Squadron that will operate out of the Eastern Fleet Command.

       Adm Mohd Reza said KD Rencong is one of four LMS obtained through the navy's transformation programme.

       "With the presence of LMS KD Rencong based in Kota Kinabalu, I am confident it will further enhance the capabilities of the Eastern Armada along with the other LMS ships," he told reporters after the ceremony.

       In a statement, the navy said construction of KD Rencong started on Sept 19, 2019 in Wuhan, China. It set sail on Dec 21 last year and arrived in Sepanggar base on Dec 28, covering 1,811 nautical miles.

       KD Rencong has a speed of up to 22 knots, is 68m in length, 9.20m wide and is capable of performing operations for a 15-day period without resupply.

       Adm Mohd Reza said Malaysia plans to get a second batch of LMS to increase the navy's assets and capabilities.

       "We expect the second batch to be realised this year or next year," he said.