Marking a major step in its maritime defense transformation, Malaysia officially launched its second Maharaja Lela-class frigate—KD Raja Muda Nala (2502)— at the Lumut Naval Shipyard. The ceremony, held with full military honors and traditional rituals, emphasized the vessel’s symbolic and strategic importance for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
Graced by Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, who performed the ceremonial blessing using sacred water gathered from nine mosques across Selangor, the event also welcomed the presence of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, RMN’s Captain-in-Chief. This culturally rich christening reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to sovereign defense and naval self-reliance.
The KD Raja Muda Nala is the second of six stealth frigates developed under Malaysia’s high-profile Maharaja Lela-class program, which is based on an enlarged variant of the French Gowind-class design. Locally constructed by the Lumut Naval Shipyard—formerly Boustead Heavy Industries—the 111-meter, 3,100-ton ship is equipped for modern naval warfare across air, surface, and subsurface domains.
Driven by a CODAD propulsion system, the vessel can reach speeds up to 28 knots and has an impressive endurance of 5,000 nautical miles. It accommodates a crew of 138 and supports operations of helicopters and UAVs, extending its mission profile from sea control to intelligence gathering.
Technologically, the frigate is fitted with a robust suite of Western systems: the Thales SMART-S Mk2 radar, SETIS combat management, CAPTAS-2 towed sonar, and an integrated electronic warfare package. Its armament includes Naval Strike Missiles, a Bofors 57mm main gun, 30mm MSI cannons, and torpedo launchers—providing credible deterrence and multi-threat engagement capabilities.
The Maharaja Lela-class effort began under the RMN’s 15-to-5 Transformation Program, a long-term plan to streamline fleet structure while improving operational readiness and standardization. Although originally contracted in 2011, the project faced numerous delays and financial setbacks. The relaunch of construction and the recent commissioning momentum demonstrate Malaysia’s renewed resolve to meet its naval ambitions.
The deployment of KD Raja Muda Nala arrives at a critical moment for Malaysia, amid heightened maritime competition and unresolved territorial tensions in the South China Sea. With growing foreign naval activity in nearby waters, the RMN’s need for capable, modern surface combatants has never been greater.
Beyond filling operational gaps, the Maharaja Lela-class vessels symbolize Malaysia’s strategic aspiration for regional leadership, autonomy in defense production, and stronger control over its maritime borders. As sea trials begin for the newly launched frigate, Malaysia signals that it is moving beyond past challenges and asserting itself as a maritime power with increasing regional relevance.
