LCS 1, LCS 2 Piping, Wiring Work Still Behind Target

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Progress on piping and wiring work for Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) 1 and 2 remains behind target, putting subsequent construction activities and the targeted physical handover (PHO) of LCS 1 at risk.

According to the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2026, as of June 25, piping work on LCS 1 and LCS 2 had reached only 87.70 per cent and 74.73 per cent, respectively, resulting in delays of 12.30 and 25.27 percentage points.

The delays involved 4,113 pipe spools following design changes that required rework, including pipe rerouting to meet performance targets and resolve clashes.

Meanwhile, wiring work on LCS 1 and LCS 2 had reached 51.41 per cent and 43.49 per cent, respectively, representing delays of 48.59 and 56.51 percentage points.

According to the report, the delays in wiring work are partly due to rework following design revisions involving 95 cable tray changes and 85 penetration changes.

It also said delays in piping and wiring work, which are part of the shipbuilding activities, could affect subsequent construction work and the targeted physical handover (PHO) of LCS 1.

Based on feedback from the Defence Ministry (MINDEF) on July 20 and Aug 13, piping work for LCS 1 and LCS 2 uses a combination of pipe spools from the original and revised designs, while LCS 3 to LCS 5 use the revised design exclusively.

The delay was first identified in November 2025 following a comment from the Design Authority, Naval Group. As of July 2026, piping work on LCS 1 had reached 100 per cent, while LCS 2 stood at 96 per cent.

MINDEF said the improved progress was driven by the contractor’s decision to introduce three work shifts from Jan 23, 2024, to accelerate completion.

However, the LCS Project Management (PPLCS) could not verify the progress of the piping and cabling work because, as of July 2026, the contractor had not submitted reports or evidence that the work had been carried out in line with the reported progress.

PPLCS will only verify work progress formally submitted by the contractor, with only work that has been physically verified and fully supported by documentation recognised as confirmed progress.

PPLCS was also informed that the actual physical progress of some activities exceeded the verified progress, but stressed that only verified and confirmed work is recorded, with unverified work excluded.

-- BERNAMA