KDB Ijtihad (17) is the lead ship of the Ijtihad-class patrol boats. The vessel is in active service in the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).[1][2]

History
Brunei Darussalam
NameIjtihad (Effort)
NamesakeIjtihad
Operator Royal Brunei Navy
BuilderLürssen Werft
Launched2009
Commissioned15 March 2010
HomeportMuara Naval Base
Identificationpennant number: 17
Statusactive
General characteristics
Class and typeIjtihad-class patrol boat
Displacement262 tonnes (258 long tons; 289 short tons)
Length41 metres (134 ftin)
Beam7.7 metres (25 ft 3 in)
Draught1.9 metres (6 ft 3 in)
Installed power2x diesel engines, 6,670 kW (8,940 hp)
Propulsion2x propellers
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) maximum
Complement16 (+5 embarked)
Sensors and
processing systems
  • 1x navigation radar
  • 1x MEOS ESM
Armament1× Rheinmetall MLG 27 mm gun

Development

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Background

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A total of four Ijtihad-class fast patrol boats have been commissioned into service in Brunei Darussalam with the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), where two of the ships began operating since March 2010, followed by another two on 28 August 2010.[3][4]

Two Ijtihad-class fast patrol boats arrived in Brunei Darussalam on 27 August 2010. The boats were given the prefix Malay: Kapal Diraja Brunei (KDB), and named Syafaat and Afiat, were commissioned by the RBN at Muara Naval Base. They are part of the project between the Brunei Darussalam government and Lürssen Werft.

The commissioning ceremony of both vessels was officiated by Major General Aminuddin Ihsan, the then Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). Like previous fast patrol boats, Syafaat and Afiat were produced in Germany and completed sea trials. Ijtihad and Berkat began operations on 15 March 2010.[citation needed]

Construction and career

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Ijtihad was built by Lürssen Werft company in Germany around 2009. She is part of the first batch of two vessels delivered from Germany to Brunei Darussalam. Ijtihad and Berkat commissioned together on 15 March 2010 at Muara Naval Base. All four of her sister ships work in the patrol craft role.

Exercise Hornbill 21/2011

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The Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Brunei Navy concluded the military exercise Exercise Hornbill from 19 to 23 December 2011, which consisted of Afiat, Ijtihad, KD Kedah and KD Ganas.[5]

Exercise Hornbill 22/2012

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Ijtihad, KDB Darussalam, KD Lekir, KD Laksamana Tan Pusmah, and KD Kasturi attended Exercise Hornbill 22/2012 from 3 to 8 December 2012, hosted by both the Royal Brunei Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy.[6]

Exercise Hornbill 24/2014

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KDB Ijtihad, KDB Darulehsan, KD Selangor, and KD Ganas attended Exercise Hornbill 24/2014 from 18 to 24 November 2014, hosted by both the Royal Brunei Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy.[7]

POLMAR 2015

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Exercise POLMAR was held by the Royal Brunei Navy and Royal Brunei Marine Police Force for four days at Muara Naval Base from 2 to 5 June 2015. It consisted of Ijtihad, KDB Serasa, and the Naval Action Surface Group.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Sultan witnesses culmination of Hikmat Bersatu IV". Sultanate.com. Sultanate. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  2. ^ "DSEi 2015: Setting Standards, Becoming Excellence - Fr. Lürssen's Role in Addressing Global Needs". MilTechMag.com. Military Technology. September 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Remembering Brunei's naval ships". AsiaOne.com. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  4. ^ "FPB 41". Luerssen-Defence.com. Lürssen Defence. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Royal Brunei, Royal Malaysian navies commence Exercise Hornbill". NavalToday.com. Naval Today. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Lima Kapal Sertai Latihan HORNBILL Antara TLDM Dan TLDB". PerakToday.com.my. Perak Today. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Joint M'sia-Brunei military exercise boosts security". DailyExpress.com.my. Daily Express Online - Sabah's Leading News Portal. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  8. ^ Amu, Analisa (6 June 2015). "Marine police, RBN end maritime exercise". BTarchive.org. The BT Archive. Retrieved 25 July 2020.[permanent dead link]