Kasturi-class corvette

The class was ordered in February 1981 and built by the German Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) shipyard. Both ships were simultaneously launched on 14 May 1983 and commissioned on 15 August 1984. Two more were planned but were never ordered. The Kasturi class is based on HDW's FS 1500 design. ==Characteristics==

Sensors and electronics The SLEP modernisation comprised extensive changes to the original configuration of the ships, aimed at both extending their service life as well as improving combat capabilities. The TACTICOS Combat Management System from Thales replaced the older Signaal SEWACO MA command system and the DR3000S Electronic Support Measures suite including the Therma SKWS Decoy Launching System was installed. The DA-08 search radar and the WM22 fire control radar were overhauled and the Thales MIRADOR electro-optical sensor replaced the Signaal LIOD optronic director. A DSQS-24C hull-mounted sonar from Atlas Elektronik was installed to complement the new torpedo-launch capabilities. Armament The Kasturi class original armament was heavily altered by the 2009 modernisation as well. The 57 mm Bofors was moved from the aft to the bow, where it replaced the 100 mm gun as the main gun. No new aft gun was installed. The two manually operated Emerlec 30 mm twin-barrel anti-air guns were replaced with 30 mm single-barrel MSI DS30B guns. Anti-submarine capabilities were enhanced by replacing the dated Bofors 375 mm anti-submarine rocket launcher with two EuroTorp B515 triple torpedo launchers equipped with Whitehead A244-S torpedoes. Propulsion The Kasturi class is powered by a CODAD propulsion system, provided by four MTU diesels driving two shafts and developing driving two controllable pitch propellers. This gives a maximum speed of , and a range of at . Aircraft The Kasturi class has a helideck aft suitable for the Royal Malaysian Navy's Super Lynx 300 and Fennec helicopters. Lacking a hangar, it does not carry an embarked helicopter. According to support future mission it will be fitted with hand-launched UAV system as Schiebel has been selected. ==Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)==

In August 2009, a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) was awarded to Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation to overhaul the aging corvettes with work to be carried out locally at the Boustead Naval Shipyard in Lumut. By this time, KD Kasturi had reportedly not been operational since 2007 and it would eventually take almost seven years for her to resume operational status in early 2014. KD Lekir remained in active duty until the SLEP work on her began in October 2011 and was completed in November 2014. The SLEP is estimated to have extended the corvettes' service life by around 15 years. ==Ships of the class==

File:KD Kasturi starboard.jpg|KD Kasturi docking at Lumut Naval Base. File:Royal Malaysian Navy KD Lekir (F-26) resupplied by Royal Australian Navy HMAS Supply (A 195).jpg|KD Lekir resupplied by Royal Australian Navy HMAS Supply. File:US Navy 110126-N-7981E-232 The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) leads the Royal Malaysian Navy frigate KD Lekir (FF 26) durin.jpg|KD Lekir and . File:KDKasturi.jpg|KD Kasturi during SEACAT 2006. File:US Navy 110126-N-6320L-827 The Royal Malaysian Navy frigate KD Lekir (26) is underway in the Strait of Malacca.jpg|KD Lekir underway in the Strait of Malacca. File:110126-N-2953W-026.jpg|KD Lekir at sea in 2009. File:Malaysian Navy Ships at Stokes Hill Wharf.jpg|KD Lekir and the , KD Jebat tied up at Stokes Hill Wharf in July 2005. File:US Navy 080714-N-0096V-014 The amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) leads the way as the guided-missile frigate USS Jarrett (FFG 33), the Royal Malaysian Navy ships KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil (F 135) and KD Lekir.jpg|KD Lekir during the CARAT 2008 exercise. ==See also==