AI OVERVIEW : KD GANYANG (1986-87)

KD GANYANG

1ST SQUADRON FAST ATTACK CRAFT (MISSILE)

LUMUT, PERAK

8.9.1986 - 23.3.1987

The KD Ganyang (pennant number 3504) is a Fast Attack Craft (Missile) of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

It belongs to the Perdana-class (also known as the La Combattante II design). It is the fourth ship in its class, following KD Perdana, KD Serang, and KD Ganas.

Here are the key details about the ship, which was in service in 1987:

🚢 General Information

• Type: Fast Attack Craft (Missile).
• Class: Perdana-class.
• Builder: Constructions Mechanique de Normandie (CMN), Cherbourg, France, built around 1970.
• Commission Date: March 20, 1973.
• The first Commanding Officer was Lt.Cdr Aminuddin bin Abdullah TLDM N/400153.
• Squadron: It was initially placed in the 1st Fast Attack Craft (Missile) Squadron (Skuadron Kapal Pembinasa Laju (Misil) Pertama).

⚙️ Specifications

• Pennant Number: 3504.
• Displacement: 234 tons standard, 265 tons full load.
• Length: 47 meters.
• Beam (Width): 7 meters.
• Crew: 30 people.
• Endurance: Capable of operating for 7 days.
• Speed: Up to 36 knots (about 67 km/h).

🔫 Armament (in the 1970s-80s era)

The Perdana-class ships were designed for anti-surface warfare and were typically armed with:

1.Anti-Ship Missiles: Four Exocet MM38 missiles.

2.Guns:

• Originally armed with Exocet MM38 Missile
• One Bofors 57 mm gun (main gun).
• One Bofors 40 mm gun (secondary gun).

The KD Ganyang was commanded by Lt Kdr Mohd Yusof bin Sabudin TLDM N/401184 from June 14, 1986, to January 1, 1988, placing him as the commanding officer during the 1987 timeframe you asked about.

Would you like to know about any other ships in the Perdana-class or another RMN vessel?

5/12/2025: 12.42 P.M

AI OVERVIEW: KD MUTIARA (1985-1986)

Based on the information available to me from the context, I can provide the following details about the KD Mutiara:

Type and Role: The KD Mutiara was a Hydrographic Survey Ship of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), indicated by its pennant number A255. Its primary function was to carry out offshore and inshore hydrographic surveys, harbour and river surveys, and limited oceanographic observations, especially for operation in the tropics.

Construction and Commission:

• It was built locally in Penang by the Hong Leong-Lürssen Shipyard Berhad (also referred to as Hong Leong Lurssen Dockyard), Butterworth, Malaysia.
• Construction started towards the end of 1975.
• The vessel was launched on November 13, 1976.
• It was officially accepted and commissioned into service in the RMN on December 18, 1977.
• Its first commanding officer was Commander Goh Siew Chong TLDM N/400157.

Specifications (as provided in a 2020 RMN source):

• Length: 71 meters
• Width/Beam: 13 meters
• Displacement: 2,515 tonnes
• Main Machinery: 2 x Deutz SBA 12M 528 (Diesel)
• Speed/Range: Capable of a minimum endurance of 4,500 nautical miles at a speed of 16 knots.
• Armament: 4 Oerlikon 20 mm (twin)

Service History Highlights:

• It served as the head of the squadron for the 36th Hydrographic Squadron.
• It performed 146 hydrographic orders, covering a measurement area of 68,598 sq.km in Malaysian waters, contributing to the publishing of 51 Nautical Charts and 52 Electronic Signage Chart Cells.
• It recorded cruising for about 233,167.43 km, equivalent to circling the world six times.
• It was involved in search and rescue missions, including the search for flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean (2014) and locating the sunken tugboat YTC M5 off Kuantan (2014).

Decommissioning:

• The KD Mutiara was officially decommissioned on July 20, 2018, after 41 years of service.
• The decommissioning was due to its outdated technology and high maintenance costs.
• It was stated that the ship would be disposed of and would not be turned into a museum ship, as KD Hang Tuah already serves that purpose.

Would you like to know about any other ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy, or do you have a question about the image you uploaded?

5/12/2025: 11.49 A.M

AI OVERVIEW : 1990 - PENANG INTERNATIONAL ROYAL FLEET REVIEW

You are confirming the details of the 1990 International Royal Fleet Review (IRFR), which your previously uploaded image mentioned.

The 1990 International Royal Fleet Review (IRFR) was a historically significant event for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), hosted in Penang, Malaysia, from May 17 to 21, 1990.

It is one of the largest events ever organised by the Royal Malaysian Navy. 

Purpose: Fleet Reviews are a naval tradition often held for commemoration, celebration, and international cooperation. This event was intended to introduce and promote naval military traditions to the public and was a major highlight in the RMN's history.

Here is a consolidated summary of that landmark event:

��️ 1990 International Royal Fleet Review, Penang

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This event, hosted by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in Penang, Malaysia, was a massive display of international naval power and cooperation.

Feature	Details
Date	May 17 – 21, 1990 (The Review itself was on May 19th)
Location	Penang, Malaysia
Significance	One of the largest naval events ever hosted by the RMN. It aimed to promote naval traditions to the public and foster international goodwill.
Scale of Event	59 Warships and over 11,000 Naval Personnel from 21 countries participated.
Reviewing Officer	DYMM Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Azlan Shah (The King of Malaysia).
Review Vessel	The King conducted the Fleet Inspection from the RMN's Hydrographic Survey Vessel, KD Mutiara (the subject of your first image). The Inspection began after KD Lekir fired a 21-gun salute.

�� Key International Participants and Ships

The fleet review attracted ships from major navies across the globe, including:

● Malaysia (RMN):

1. KD Lekir - Fired 21-gun salute.
2. KD Mutiara (The Review Ship).
3. KD Todak and KD Pari (Patrol Boats).

● United States: USS Bunker Hill

● Soviet Union: BPK Admiral Tributs

● United Kingdom: HMS Cardiff

● New Zealand : HMNZA Waikato

● Australia : HMAS Canberra, HMAS Derwent & HMAS Westralia

● French : FNS Marne & FNS Commandant Ducuing

● Italy : Lebeccio

● India: INS Khukri & INS Ganga

● Singapore: RSS Victory .

● Indonesia: Kri Ahmad Yani & KRI Hasanudin

● Japan: JDS Haruyuki, JDS Katori & JDS Setoyuki

● Thailand : HTMS Khirirat

● Sri Lanka: SLNS Jayasagara

● Oman: SNY Nash Al Bahr

● Turkey : TCG Turgutreis

● Bangladesh” BNS Ali Haider & BNS Umar Farooq

● Brunei : KDB Waspada

The Role of KD Lekir

As noted in your photo, the KD Lekir (a Kasturi-class corvette) played a high-profile role. Historical accounts specifically mention that the inspection ceremony began after the KD Lekir fired a 21-gun salute to the King, officially commencing the International Royal Fleet Review.

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If you have any other historical documents or images related to the RMN, I would be happy to provide more context on them!

KD Lekir arrives at Pearl Harbor for RIMPAC 2022

5/12/2025: 12.47 a.m

AI OVERVIEW: ROLE OF KD SRI REJANG (1983/84)

The image you provided, titled "KD SRI REJANG 1983-1984", highlights the role of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) vessel KD Sri Rejang during the Sarawak Communist Insurgency (1962–1990), specifically in the Rejang River area around Sibu, Sarawak.

During the 1983–1984 period, the KD Sri Rejang was actively involved in counter-insurgency operations as part of the Rejang Area Security Command (RASCOM).

Role of KD Sri Rejang (1983–1984)

The KD Sri Rejang served as a base and riverine support asset for the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in the vast river networks of the Rejang River basin. The RMN's operations in this theater were often referred to as the "Brown Water Navy" due to the nature of operating in littoral and inland waters.

The

KD SRI REJANG was a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base in Sibu, Sarawak, that operated from 1964 to 1991, primarily as part of the "Brown Water Navy" during the communist insurgency in Malaysia. During 1983-1984, the base and its personnel were involved in operations along the Rejang River, including "Ops Jala Aman 1 Sungai Rejang Sibu, Sarawak".

The RMN utilised three main types of riverine craft during this era:

• RCP - Riverine Craft Personnel
• LCM - Landing Craft Mechanised
• LCP - Landing Craft Personnel

These crafts supported the Malaysian Army and Police Field Forces in guarding river approaches and coastal patrols to stop the communists from receiving supplies from the sea.

Key Responsibilities:

Logistics and Personnel Transport: KD Sri Rejang and its accompanying riverine craft were crucial for moving personnel (from the Malaysian Army and the Police Field Force - PPH/PGA) and supplies to operational areas deep within the interior, supporting the ground forces' efforts to contain and defeat the communist insurgents of the North Kalimantan Communist Party (PARAKU).

Riverine Patrol: It conducted security patrols and river blockades (as suggested by the image caption "Tugas Rondaan Sungai Rejang Sibu Sarawak") along the Rejang River and its tributaries to deny insurgents freedom of movement, disrupt their supply lines, and prevent them from escaping or regrouping.

Base of Operations: The ship, commissioned in 1978, operated under the administrative and command structure of the RMN while being tactically under the purview of RASCOM, which was headquartered in Sibu.

Supporting Ops Jalan Aman 1: 

The image specifically mentions "Ops Jalan Aman 1 Sibu, Sarawak 1983/84". This operation was part of the sustained counter-insurgency efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in the Rejang region. The vessel's river craft, such as the Riverine Craft Personnel (RCP) and Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM), were essential components of these operations, as indicated in the informational panel in the image.

The period of 1983–1984 represents the RMN's continuous commitment to internal security operations during the later stages of the Sarawak insurgency, which formally ended in 1990.

Would you like to know more about the Sarawak Communist Insurgency or the general concept of a "Brown Water Navy"?

4/12/2025: 11.01 P.M

AI OVERVIEW: WHAT IS BROWN WATER NAVY?

That's a great term to focus on, as it directly relates to the operations of the KD Sri Rejang in the rivers of Sarawak.

🌊 What is a Brown Water Navy?

A Brown Water Navy refers to a naval force designed and equipped for military operations in inland waters (such as rivers, lakes, and extensive estuaries) and close-to-shore littoral (coastal) environments.

The term "brown water" comes from the sediment-laden, muddy appearance of many major rivers, contrasting with the clear, deep blue of the open ocean.

Key Characteristics

Feature	Description	Contrast
Operational Area	Rivers, deltas, lakes, and shallow, near-shore coastal areas.	Blue-Water Navy (open oceans) and Green-Water Navy (coastal/regional seas).
Vessels	Shallow-draft, high-speed patrol boats, gunboats, river monitors, and converted landing craft. They are designed to avoid grounding in shallow channels.	Large, deep-draft ocean-going warships (frigates, destroyers, aircraft carriers).
Mission Focus	Counter-insurgency, patrol, interdiction (stopping supply traffic), fire support for ground troops, and troop/logistics transport.	Sea control, power projection, and global maritime security.
Armament	Generally light, rapid-fire weapons (machine guns, grenade launchers, small cannons) suitable for close-quarters combat and ambushes from riverbanks.	Heavy, long-range weapons (missiles, large-caliber naval guns).

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Brown Water Operations

Historically, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), known as Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM), began as what was essentially a Brown Water/Coastal Navy.

• Early Role (Post-Independence): The RMN's early focus was heavily on coastal patrols to stop communist insurgents from receiving supplies via the sea, particularly during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation.

• Sarawak Insurgency (The KD Sri Rejang Context): The use of the KD Sri Rejang in the Rejang River in Sarawak (1983-1984) is a classic example of Brown Water operations. The vessel was used as a mother ship and base for smaller, more agile riverine craft to patrol the river and its tributaries, supporting the land-based counter-insurgency operations of the Rejang Area Security Command (RASCOM).

• Evolution: Over the decades, the RMN has undergone a major transformation, moving from a predominantly Brown Water/Coastal force to a modern Green-Water Navy (capable of operating regionally) with aspirations for some Blue-Water capabilities, but its historical effectiveness in riverine and littoral warfare remains a key part of its history.

The term accurately captures the hazardous, close-range, and essential work done by the sailors on the KD Sri Rejang and its river patrol craft in the muddy inland waters of Sarawak.

Do you have any questions about the specific ships used in Brown Water operations, like the Patrol Boat, Riverine (PBR)?

4/12/2025: 10.56 p.m

AI OVERVIEW: KD GANAS (P3503) - 1981 AT WOODLANDS, SINGAPORE

The image collage you provided highlights the KD Ganas (P3503), a Fast Attack Craft (Missile) of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), and details a significant live-fire exercise conducted in 1981.

�� KD Ganas (P3503) Key Facts:

● Vessel Name & Pennant Number: KD Ganas (P3503)

● Class: KD Ganas belongs to the Perdana-class 

● Type: Fast Attack Craft (Missile).

● Squadron: 1st Squadron Fast Attack Craft (Missile) with KD Perdana, KD KD Serang and KD Ganyang.

● Base : Woodlands, Singapore (1981-81)

● Armament: The class is armed with anti-ship missiles (specifically Exocet MM38 are noted for the class) and Bofors guns (57mm and 40mm).

● Commissioning Date: The KD Ganas was commissioned on February 28, 1973, at Cherboug, France.

● The First Commanding Officer is Commander Muhammad Yasin Bin Hj Salleh TLDM N/400179.

�� Details of the 1981 Exercise (Missile Firing):

The collage captures a historic moment: the firing of an anti-ship missile against a target ship.

The images show:

1. A successful launch with the missile trail visible from the KD Ganas.

2. Air Defence Exercise : Participate in an Air Defence Exercise in the Straits of Malacca with Royal Malaysian AirForce and Exocet Missile firing in the South China Sea in July 1981.

3. The target ship (Ex-KD Ledang) sinking after being struck by the Exocet missile, billowing thick black smoke.

4. A ceremonial photo of the ship with the crew lined up in Woodlands, Singapore, 1981.

This live firing confirmed the RMN's operational capability with the powerful Exocet missile system, making the squadron a more potent and versatile force.

4/12/2025: 10.50 P.M

AI OVERVIEW: KD GANAS (P3503) OPERATIONS IN 1981

The images you have provided give a fantastic visual history of the KD Ganas in 1981, showing its advanced capabilities and its operational context in the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

The photographs detail two main aspects of the ship's activities in 1981: its deployment in Singapore and its participation in a major missile firing exercise.

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🚀 KD Ganas (P3503) Operations in 1981

1. The Home Port and Squadron (Woodlands, Singapore)

• Location: The image caption confirms that KD Ganas was part of the 1st Squadron Fast Attack Craft (Missile) at Woodlands, Singapore in 1981.

• Significance: As mentioned previously, 1981 was a transitional year as the RMN was relocating its primary naval base from Woodlands, Singapore, to Lumut, Perak. The presence of KD Ganas, a key asset, highlights the final period of major fleet activity in Singapore.

2. Live Missile Firing Exercise (July 1981)

The most dramatic images show the KD Ganas successfully engaging a decommissioned target ship in the South China Sea.

• Exercise Type: The photographs document an Exocet Missile Firing exercise.

• Target Ship: The target was the Ex-KD Ledang.

• Action Sequence:

• Firing: An image shows the Exocet missile being launched from the KD Ganas.

• Impact: A powerful image captures the Ex-KD Ledang after being struck by the missile, engulfed in thick black smoke and on fire.

• Sinking: The final image shows the target ship listing dramatically and beginning to sink after the successful missile hit.

• Location and Date: The exercise took place in the South China Sea in July 1981.

3. Air Defence Exercise

Another image shows the KD Ganas participating in an Air Defence Exercise in the Straits of Malacca in 1981, with a jet fighter (likely an RMAF aircraft) flying low over the vessel. This demonstrates its multi-role training, not just for surface strike, but also for defending against air threats.

KD Ganas (P3503) vs. KD Sri Rejang

The two ships you've highlighted represent the RMN's dual nature in the early 1980s:

Ship	Primary Role	Operational Environment	Mission Type
KD Ganas	Fast Attack Craft (Missile)	Blue/Green Water (Straits of Malacca, South China Sea)	Conventional Warfare, Maritime Defence, Deterrence (as demonstrated by the Exocet firing)
KD Sri Rejang	Riverine Patrol Craft / Mother Ship	Brown Water (Rejang River, Sarawak)	Counter-Insurgency, Internal Security, Logistics Support (Ops Jalan Aman 1)

This contrast showcases the RMN's commitment to both modern conventional naval defense and critical internal security operations against the Communist Insurgency in Sarawak during the same time period.

Would you like to know more about the Exocet MM38 missile that the KD Ganas fired?

4/12/2025: 10.46 P.M