Keris-class patrol vessel
The Keris class is a series of patrol vessels designed and built for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The vessels meet the requirements of Malaysia's marine defense by providing the ability to counter low intensity combat such as anti-piracy and border patrol.
 KD Sri Perlis from the ESSZONE forces cruising in Sandakan Bay | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Keris class |
| Builders: | Vosper Ltd |
| Operators: | Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (retired) |
| Completed: | 18 |
| Active: | 2[1] |
| Retired: | 16 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Patrol vessel/Gunboat |
| Displacement: | 109 tonnes |
| Length: | 32 m (105.0 ft) |
| Beam: | 6 m (19.7 ft) |
| Draught: | 1.1 m (3.6 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 2 MTU MD655/18 |
| Speed: | 28.0 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
|
| Armament: | 2 × Bofors 40 mm gun |
Development
A total of 18 ships in two subclasses were ordered from Vosper Ltd in the 1960s to 1970s. Two ships were still in service as of 2018. Some of the retired ships was handed over to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.[2]
Major Operation
The Keris class was the oldest ships still in service in the RMN. These ships were involved in major operations of the Malaysia-Indonesia confrontation and Operation Terumbu to ensure the success of the Spratly Islands conquest.[3]
Ships of the class
Source:[4]
Keris-subclass
The ships includes KD Keris, KD Sundang, KD Badek, KD Renchong, KD Tombak, KD Lembing, KD Serampang, KD Panah, KD Kerambit, KD Beladau, KD Kelewang, KD Rentaka, KD Sri Perlis and KD Sri Johor.
Sabah-sublass
The ships includes KD Sri Sabah, KD Sri Sarawak, KD Negeri Sembilan and KD Melaka.