KUALA LUMPUR: The first littoral combat ship (LCS), which is expected to be completed next year, will undergo 22 to 24 months of harbour and sea trials before going into active service.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said construction of the base of the vessel has been completed. The engine, propeller, shaft and gearbox have also been installed.
"Next is the installation of the electrical equipment and weapons. Upon completion, the ship will undergo harbour and sea trials.
"The tests will take between 22 and 24 months," he said in reply to a question from Commander (Rtd) Nordin Ahmad Ismail (PN-Lumut).
Nordin had asked about the measures taken by the government to overcome the delay in the LCS project.
The project came under scrutiny last year when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said that none of the six ships had been completed although RM6.08 billion had been spent.
On Oct 2 last year, the then defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said construction of the ships would resume as soon as negotiations ended in December.
Mohamad said the cost of the project remained the same although only five ships would be built instead of six under the original plan.
"There is no reduction as there are many variation orders, additional costs and escalation.
"(But), I have seen that the money has been put to use. Everything was bought at the Boustead Naval Shipyard."
He also said the ministry has taken up the seven recommendations of the PAC.
"Six recommendations required action by the ministry, and one by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
"The ministry has dealt with four recommendations. The remaining two are still in the process."
Mohamad said the two concerned the submission of a periodic report to the PAC and a parliamentary special committee.
He said members of the committees have yet to be appointed.
"Once the committees have been formed, we will do the necessary."