Malaysian Navy Ship Sinks Following Underwater Impact

 

On Monday, Malaysian authorities reported that they are working to recover a 45-year-old fast-attack naval ship that sank after hitting an unidentified underwater object.

According to a navy statement, a leak was first discovered in the engine room of the KD Pendekar on Sunday, which led to rapid flooding of the vessel.

The statement also noted that the crew was unable to repair the breach, and the 260-ton ship went under just hours later off the coast of southern Johor state.

Fortunately, all 39 crew members were safely evacuated without injuries.

The statement indicated that the leak is believed to have resulted from the ship striking an underwater object, and salvage operations are currently underway. An investigation into the incident has been initiated.

Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin has ordered an inspection of navy vessels over 40 years old, which constitute at least a third of the nation's fleet. The Pendekar, constructed by Karlskrona Varvet Shipyard in Sweden, was commissioned into the Malaysian fleet in 1979.

Khaled acknowledged that while some of the ships are old, it is unlikely to be a primary cause of the incident. He emphasized the positive outcome of no lives being lost.

The minister also noted ongoing fleet modernization efforts, including the construction of new littoral combat ships, with the first set to be commissioned in 2026. Additionally, negotiations are underway for the purchase of littoral mission ships from Türkiye.