Malaysian Navy to Replace Burnt Landing Craft
The Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) biggest landing craft the KD Sri Inderapura, which caught fire recently, will be replaced by a new landing craft, according to the defence minister. The vessel was destroyed in a fire caused by a short circuit at the Lumut naval base in northern Perak st
The Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) biggest landing craft the KD Sri Inderapura, which caught fire recently, will be replaced by a new landing craft, according to the defence minister.
The vessel was destroyed in a fire caused by a short circuit at the Lumut naval base in northern Perak state.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the ship could no longer be used, so a replacement must to be found.
“It should be done through a open tender. To refurbish it would take 36 to 60 months,” he said.
The fire was started by a short circuit on board the vessel, which was carrying 77 personnel, including six officers and 22 trainees. There were no fatalities.
The 40-year-old ship was one of three Malaysian navy vessels to assist in anti-piracy operations deployed in the Gulf of Aden in 2008.