Malaysia Advances Naval Power with Launch of Second Maharaja Lela Class Frigate.

According to information published by the Royal Malaysian Navy on July 3, 2025, the second Maharaja Lela-class frigate, KD Raja Muda Nala (hull number 2502), was officially launched and named during a ceremonial event steeped in tradition at the Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS), located at Lumut Naval Base.
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KD Raja Muda Nala, the second Maharaja Lela-class frigate of the Royal Malaysian Navy, was officially launched during a traditional naming ceremony at Lumut Naval Shipyard on July 3, 2025, marking a key milestone in Malaysia’s naval modernization program. (Picture source: Malaysia Navy)

The ceremony was presided over by Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, the consort of the Sultan of Selangor, who carried out the blessing of the ship with sanctified water collected from nine mosques across the state. This symbolic gesture was conducted in the presence of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Captain-in-Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, underscoring the national significance of this milestone in Malaysia’s naval modernization.

KD Raja Muda Nala is the second vessel in the Maharaja Lela-class, a locally built class of six stealth frigates derived from an enlarged design of the French Naval Group's Gowind-class corvette. Construction began under Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC) and is being completed by the newly renamed Lumut Naval Shipyard. Measuring 111 meters in length with a displacement of approximately 3,100 tons, the frigate is designed for high-end multi-role operations including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. Powered by a CODAD propulsion system, it can reach speeds of up to 28 knots and offers an operational range of 5,000 nautical miles, with accommodation for a crew of 138.

The Maharaja Lela-class frigates are fitted with advanced European combat systems, including the SETIS combat management suite, Thales SMART-S Mk2 radar, CAPTAS-2 towed sonar, and a comprehensive electronic warfare suite. Armament comprises a Bofors 57 mm naval gun, MSI DS30M 30 mm cannons, Naval Strike Missiles, and torpedo launchers. Aviation facilities on board support operations of UAVs and helicopters up to 10 tons, enhancing the frigate’s versatility in maritime operations.

The six-ship Maharaja Lela-class program was originally launched in 2011 under the RMN's 15-to-5 Transformation Program, an ambitious restructuring and modernization roadmap aimed at reducing the number of vessel classes in the navy to just five while increasing fleet standardization and readiness. The ships were contracted under a MYR 9 billion (approximately USD 2.1 billion) deal awarded to BHIC, making it one of Malaysia’s most significant naval defense projects. However, the program faced delays and cost overruns, with the first ship only launched in 2024 after years of halted progress. The government has since recommitted to seeing the project through, recognizing the strategic imperative of enhancing maritime security in a region of growing geopolitical tension.

Malaysia’s naval modernization strategy seeks to bolster its maritime domain awareness and deterrence capabilities, particularly in the South China Sea, where sovereignty disputes and increased foreign naval presence have raised the stakes for regional navies. The Maharaja Lela-class is a cornerstone of this modernization, providing the RMN with modern surface combatants capable of securing national waters, supporting joint operations, and projecting influence in the broader Indo-Pacific region. With KD Raja Muda Nala now afloat and harbor acceptance trials set to begin shortly, the Royal Malaysian Navy continues to chart a course toward greater operational autonomy and regional maritime leadership.