KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project was 7.55 per cent behind schedule as of June 25, 2026, with delays ranging from 30 to 108 days, according to the National Audit Department (JAN).

In a statement on the Auditor General’s Report (LKAN) 2/2026, the department said the delay posed a risk to the Physical Handover (PHO) of LCS 1, initially scheduled for Aug 26, 2026, and the revised target of Dec 26, 2026.

“Should the PHO take place on either date, LCS 1 will be handed over without full operational capability, as training and weapon systems have yet to be completed.

“Full operational readiness of the LCS project depends on the Supplementary Contract, which can only be completed in December 2035, well beyond the Main Contract’s deadline of April 25, 2030. The delay in the PHO of LCS 1 will also affect the PHO timelines for LCS 2 through LCS 5,” the statement read.