According to information published by the U.S. DoD on July 18, 2022, during the at-sea phase of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the Royal Malaysian Navy Kasturi-class corvette KD Lekir (F-26) showcased its maritime capabilities during a sinking exercise (SINKEX).
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Malaysian Kasturi class corvette Lekir launching missile during the exercise RIMPAC 2022 (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
Conducting their first missile firing outside their territorial waters, Lekir Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mohd Asri bin Dasman said the crew had prepared extensively and was confident they would be successful in hitting their intended target.
Military forces from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and the U.S. fired upon and sunk the decommissioned ex-USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), on July 12, during the SINKEX, to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting, and live to fire against a surface target at sea.
About the Malaysian Kasturi class corvette Lekir
KD Lekir is the second ship of Kasturi-class corvette currently serving in the Royal Malaysian Navy. Together with her sister ship Kasturi, Lekir serves in the 22nd Corvette Squadron of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
The Kasturi-class corvettes are two ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy, KD Kasturi, and KD Lekir. They were acquired in the mid-1980s. The two ships constitute the Malaysian Navy's 22nd Corvette Squadron, their homeport being Lumut.
The Kasturi class is powered by a CODAD propulsion system, provided by four MTU diesels driving two shafts and developing 23,460 horsepower (17,490 kW) driving two controllable pitch propellers. This gives a maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph), and a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).
