KL may buy patrol boats from Sweden

KL may buy patrol boats from Sweden

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia may buy up to 40 fast patrol boats to guard waters off Borneo island against intrusions by Muslim kidnappers from the southern Philippines, a senior defense official said Tuesday.

The official said Malaysia would buy at least four boats by year-end and depending on financial resources would buy up to 40 by next year.

Malaysia already has five of the aluminum-hulled boats with a top speed of 40 knots and is happy with its performance, he said, adding that talks about the new purchase had not yet started.

The navy currently uses the five craft to guard the isles and atolls it occupies in the disputed Spratlys chain. The navy has deployed 23 patrol boats or warships and 2,000 personnel off the Sabah coast to guard against intrusions.