KD Rahmat

KD (Kapal Diraja = Royal Ship) Rahmat (pennant number F24) was a frigate operated by the Royal Malaysian Navy.The ship was ordered in 1966 as Hang Jebat.

KD Rahmat as a museum ship
History
Malaysia
Name: KD Rahmat
Operator: Royal Malaysian Navy
Builder: Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow
Laid down: February 1966
Launched: 18 December 1967
Commissioned: 13 September 1971
Decommissioned: 2004
Identification: F24
Status:

Museum ship (2011-2017)

Scrapped in 2017
General characteristics [1]
Type: Frigate
Displacement:
  • 1,250 long tons (1,270 t) standard,
  • 1,600 long tons (1,600 t) full load
Length:
  • 93.9 m (308 ft) oa,
  • 91.44 m (300.0 ft) pp
Beam: 10.4 m (34 ft)
Draught: 4.5 m (15 ft)
Propulsion:
  • 2 shaft CODOG
  • 1 Rolls-Royce Olympus gas turbine 19,500 shp (14,500 kW)
  • 1 Crossley Pielstick diesel 3,850 hp (2,870 kW)
Speed:
  • 26 kn (48 km/h) gas turbines
  • 16 kn (30 km/h) diesel only
Range:
  • 6,000 nmi (11,000 km) at 16 kn (30 km/h)
  • 1,000 nmi (1,900 km) at 26 kn (48 km/h)
Crew: 140
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Radar - HSA LW 02 air search radar, Signaal M20 gun fire control, M-44 missile fire control
  • Sonar Type 170B, 174[2]
Armament:
Aviation facilities: Helicopter landing platform

Development

The design emphasised simplicity and economy but had an unusual machinery layout with a gas turbine and a diesel driving two propellers via a gearbox in a CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) arrangement.[1]

The ship's design served as the basis for HTMS  Makut Rajakumarn built for the Thai Navy by Yarrows.[2] KD Rahmat was also the first ship in the region to be fitted with surface-to-air missile system. The Sea Cat surface-to-air missile system was removed during a 1982 refit and was replaced by an additional 40 mm Bofors gun.[3]

Originally configured as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate, the ship was also used as the navy's second training platform for commissioned officers and men after routine refit in 2000. To enhance its role as a training vessel and to provide more accommodation space for trainees, its weapons and sonar systems were removed during the refit. The ship was decommissioned in 2004 and handed over to the Perak government in 2008.

Fate

The ship was converted into a museum ship in Lumut in 2011. In June 2017, the ship developed a leak and started listing to port. The ship was floated back into position within a few days. In February 2018, the ship leaked again and listed to starboard. This time, the ship was deemed irrecoverable and turned to scrap.

References
  1. Moore 1979, p. 337.
  2. Gardiner and Chumbley 1995, p. 258.
  3. Baker 1998, pp. 494–495.

Sources
  • Baker, A.D. The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World 1998–1999. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1998. ISBN 1-55750-111-4.
  • Gardiner, Robert and Stephen Chumbley. Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland USA: Naval Institute Press, 1995. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • Moore, John. Jane's Fighting Ships 1979–80. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1979. ISBN 0 354 00587 1.
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