Kasturi class
FS 1500 design for Malaysia
Overview
Kasturi class
A Malaysian navy Kasturi class corvette seen in pre-refit configuration in 2014.
Source: US Navy -
© Public domain
FS 1500 (design pattern)
Variants
Kasturi class (as built)
When commissioned in 1984 the Kasturi class had very different armament, sensors and systems than currently. The original vessels are easily identified by the 100mm Compact gun on the bow and the 57mm Mark I in the original aft position. Notable is the 2-tube Bofors 375mm depth charge launcher in front of the bridge.
Kasturi class (SLEP)
A Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) carried out from 2014 to 2015 (or later?) has significantly altered these vessel's sensors, systems and armament. The SLEP vessels look very different with the aft 57mm gun having replaced the 100mm on the bow. Uniquely two 3-tube B515 torpedo launches have replaced the 375mm ASW mortar in front of the bridge.
Details
Media
Kasturi class (SLEP)
A Malaysian navy Kasturi class corvette seen replenishing at sea in post-refit configuration in 2022.
Source: Royal Australian Navy
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
Kasturi class
Starboard view of Kasturi class corvette seen in pre-refit configuration in 2011.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Kasturi class
Head on view of Malaysian navy Kasturi class corvette seen in pre-refit configuration in 2008.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Armament as built
100mm Creusot-Loire
Single 100mm Creusot-Loire Compact dual purpose gun fitted on the bow.
57mm Bofors SAK-57
Single 57mm SAK-57 Mark 1 located on the aft deck. Flare launches fitted on either side of turret.
30mm Emerlec EE-30
Two twin barrel EE-30 anti-aircraft guns are fitted to the rear superstructure, facing rearward.
MM38 Exocet
Two four-tube launchers for MM38 Exocet sea skimming subsonic anti-ship missiles located between the bridge and funnel.
Bofors 375mm M/50
Twin-tube Bofors B-2 launcher for 375mm ASW depth charges located between the 100mm main gun and the bridge.
Armament after SLEP
57mm Bofors SAK-57
Single 57mm SAK-57 Mark 1 relocated to the bow, replacing the 100mm gun. Flare launches fitted on either side of turret. No aft gun fitted.
30mm DS30B Mark I
Two single barrel 30mm DS30B have replaced the older EE-30. These REMSIG model can be operated with either remote or local control. These mounts use the same Oerlikon KCA autocannon as the EE-30.
MM40 Exocet
Two four-tube launchers for MM40 Block II Exocet sea skimming subsonic anti-ship missiles located between the bridge and funnel. These replaced the older and shorter range MM38.
A244/S
Two tripple-tube B515 launchers for A244/S lightweight torpedoes have replaced the 375mm ASW depth charge launcher. These are uniquely located far forward directly behind the main gun.