Malaysian attack craft sinks off southern Johor

KD Pendekar , seen here in a file photo. The vessel sunk off Johor on 25 August 2024. (Chris Sattler)

A Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Handalan-class (Spica-M) fast attack craft has sunk after experiencing a hull leakage, the service disclosed in a statement on 25 August.

The vessel, KD Pendekar with pennant number 3513, sank about 2 n miles off the southeast coast of Tanjung Penyusop in the southern Malaysian state of Johor.

Pendekar experienced a leakage and subsequently a major flooding incident at about 1200 h local time while it was carrying out operational duties, the RMN said in its statement.

“It is believed that the leakage happened after the vessel accidentally made contact with an underwater object,” the service said.

“It was first detected in the engine room and the flooding quickly went out of control. All crew members were successfully rescued after efforts to stabilise the vessel were unsuccessful.

“Our focus now is to carry out salvage operations to retrieve the vessel. The Royal Malaysian Navy will soon convene a special committee to investigate the incident and identify its cause,” the service added.

Pendekar is one of four 240 tonne Handalan-class fast attack craft that is in service with the RMN. It was commissioned in October 1979.

The vessel has an overall length of about 44 m. Powered by three MTU 16V 538 TB91 diesel engines, the vessel can attain a top speed of about 35 kt and a standard range of about 1,850 n miles at an economical speed of 14 kt.

Weapons onboard the vessel include a Bofors 57 mm/70 Mk1 naval gun in the primary position and a Bofors 40 mm/70 in the aft section.