KUALA LUMPUR:The Malaysian Government has taken delivery of its third Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) from China.

       The LMS was handed over in a brief ceremony at Baiyue International Hotel, Qidong, Nantong City, China, on Tuesday (Sept 14).

       Defence Attache of the Malaysian Embassy in China, First Admiral Zahid Abd Aziz represented the Malaysian in receiving the vessel.

       "The construction of the third LMS began on Sept 18, 2019 and it was launched on the surface of Wuhan waters on Oct 28 last year by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) LMS project team.

       "The LMS passed all tests during the docking phase and at sea," the navy said in a statement on Tuesday.

       The committee receiving the LMS, led by First Admiral Zahid conducted documentation and physical checks and took part in the LMS's voyage demonstration.

       "LMS is among five classes of ships listed in the RMN's 15-5 Armada Transformation Programme.

       "The contract to acquire four LMS was signed between the Defence Ministry and Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (BNSSB) on March 23, 2017, with the cooperation of China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co Ltd (CSOC).

       "This procurement project is the first of such projects for capital defence assets from China.

       "The fourth LMS is expected to be handed over in December this year," the navy said.