Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS)

Class overview
Operators	Royal Malaysian Navy (future)
Preceded by	KD Sri Inderapura
Planned	3
General characteristics
Type	Amphibious transport dock
Displacement	10,000-13,000 tons
Length	160-170 meters
Propulsion	Combined diesel and diesel (CODAD)
Speed	18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Aviation facilities	Enclosed hangar and flight deck for up to 4 medium-sized helicopters

Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) is a class of amphibious ship planned for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

Development[]

Since the loss of KD Sri Inderapura after catching fire in 2009, RMN has an outstanding need for her replacement.^[1] In addition, the lack of the RMN's amphibious assets such as Landing Platform Dock and Landing Ship Tank makes this procurement programme very important to be fulfilled. Due to this matter, RMN has launched their Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) programme to procure this type of amphibious ship.^[2][3] This MRSS programme seen in line with RMN's fleet modernisation programme called 15 to 5 where RMN planned to reduce the class of their ship from fifteen class to five class only in order to reduce the maintenance cost and easier the logistic support of the fleet. This five class includes Scorpène-class submarine, Maharaja Lela-class frigate, Kedah-class offshore patrol vessel, Keris-class littoral mission ship and Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS).^[4]

MRSS contenders[]

Mistral 170 LHD[]

Naval Group of France has proposed its downscaled Mistral Landing Helicopter Dock called Mistral 170. This ship has 170 meters in length and 14,000 tons displacement. It will have full length flight deck with five helicopter landing spots. The propulsion system will be two azimuth pods and bow thruster where it can bring the ship to reach 15 knots.^[5][6]

Type 075 LHD[]

China through China State Shipbuilding Corporation offered their downsized Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock. This proposal and design of ship first unveiled in Defence Services Asia (DSA) in 2018.^[7]

Type 071 amphibious transport dock[]

China also has offered a modified Type 071 to Malaysia. This proposal design of this ship was unveiled in LIMA 2019.

Damen Enforcer 10000 LPD[]

Damen of Netherland has positions their Enforcer 10000 Landing Platform Dock for MRSS programme. Damen proposed ship has 160 meters in length and 11,000 tons displacement. This ship able to carried up to four helicopter where two can be parked at outside landing spot and another two can be stored in hangar. Powered by two 8,000 kW engines bring the ship to cruise at maximum speed of 18 knots.^[8][9]

TAIS LPD[]

TAIS from Turkey has unveiled their plan to propose MRSS programme at LIMA 2019. The proposed ship already adopts modern and stealth design with the three landing spots for medium-sized helicopter and capability to stored another two in hangar. Powered by two propulsion systems it will allow the ship to reach maximum speed at 18 knots.^[10]

Makassar LPD[]

PT PAL Indonesia has offered their Makassar Landing Platform Dock to RMN. Makassar-class that offered will be bigger than ships that owned by Indonesian Navy and Philippine Navy. PT PAL also ready to offered Transfer of Technology (ToT) to local company Boustead Heavy Industries (BHIC) if this ship selected by RMN.^[11][12]

See also[]

• Royal Malaysian Navy
• Equipment of the Royal Malaysian Navy

References[]