Largest APMM vessel launched in Turkey, set to arrive early next year

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —

Malaysia’s Largest Maritime Enforcement Vessel Launched in Turkey, Set for 2027 Delivery

Malaysia’s largest and most advanced maritime enforcement vessel, the Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) 1, was officially launched yesterday at Desan Shipyard in Istanbul, Turkey, marking a major upgrade for the Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM). The vessel, built under a strategic partnership with Turkey, is set to arrive in Malaysia in early 2027 and will bolster the country’s maritime surveillance, law enforcement, and search-and-rescue (SAR) capabilities.

The launch, attended by Malaysia’s Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, alongside Turkey’s Home Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, underscores Malaysia’s push to modernize its maritime fleet amid rising regional security challenges.

The MPMS 1 is designed for extended operations at sea, enhancing APMM’s ability to combat complex threats such as foreign vessel intrusions, illegal fishing, smuggling, and transnational crime, while also supporting humanitarian aid and disaster response missions.

According to Maritime Malaysia Chief Director Rear Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah, the vessel will significantly strengthen Malaysia’s maritime enforcement. "The MPMS 1 will support efforts to counter illegal activities, including poaching, smuggling, and cross-border crimes, while reinforcing SAR operations," he stated.

"Modernizing our assets ensures operational effectiveness in safeguarding national sovereignty, maritime resources, and public safety." Construction of the MPMS 1 is 85% complete, ahead of schedule, while its sister ship, MPMS 2, stands at 34.05% completion, exceeding the planned 32%. Both vessels are part of a broader collaboration between APMM and the Turkish Coast Guard, covering joint training, capacity-building, information-sharing, and exercises.

The project also aligns with Malaysia’s plans to showcase its maritime capabilities at the 2027 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), where the MPMS 1 is expected to make its public debut. The vessel’s arrival will further solidify Malaysia’s regional maritime security posture, particularly in safeguarding its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and countering illegal activities that threaten economic and national interests.

With the MPMS 1 set to join the fleet next year, Malaysia’s maritime enforcement will enter a new era of technological and operational readiness, reinforcing its commitment to protecting its waters and supporting regional stability.