Senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) received six such boats costing RM80 million on March 19.

“This is the first phase of the FIC delivery and we plan to add another 13 soon. The FIC will help the entire team, not only under Op Benteng but also other tasks,” he told reporters after watching an FIC demonstration at Jeti Peluru at the Lumut naval base today.

The FIC, built by Gading Marine Industry (M) Sdn Bhd (GMI), have been placed under the Fast Combat Boat (FCB) squadron and tasked with providing maritime support to naval ships under Op Benteng to increase monitoring and intercepting abilities in shallow waters.

They are equipped with two main engines each utilising a water jet propulsion system and are capable of reaching a maximum speed of over 50 knots.

Managed by a five-man crew, each FIC is capable of carrying up to eight Quick Reaction Force (QRF) personnel at any one time.