KDB Afiat

KDB Afiat (20) underway during CARAT 2016
History
Brunei Darussalam
NameAfiat (Safety)
NamesakeAfiat
Operator Royal Brunei Navy
BuilderLürssen Werft
Launched2009
Acquired27 August 2010; 14 years ago (2010-08-27)
Commissioned28 August 2010; 14 years ago (2010-08-28)
HomeportMuara Naval Base
Identificationpennant number: 20
Statusactive
General characteristics
Class and typeIjtihad-class patrol boat
Displacement262 tonnes (258 long tons; 289 short tons)
Length41 metres (134 ft 6 in)
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

KDB Afiat (20) is the fourth and last ship of the Itjihad-class patrol boats. The vessel is in active service in the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).

Development

Background

A total of four Ijtihad-class fast patrol boats were commissioned into service with the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), where two of the ships began operating since March 2010, followed by another two on 28 August 2010.[1][2]

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

Afiat was built by Lürssen Werft company in Germany around 2009. She is part of the second batch of two vessels delivered from Germany to Brunei Darussalam. Afiat and Syafaat were commissioned together on 27 August 2010 at Muara Naval Base. All four ships work in the patrol craft role.[3]

Exercise Hornbill 21/2011

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.[4]

Exercise PELICAN 2013

The Republic of Singapore Navy and the Royal Brunei Navy held a naval exercise which consists of Afiat, Darulehsan (07), RSS Tenacious, and RSS Valour in March 2013.[citation needed]

2017 rescue

On 12 June 2017, Afiat responded to an SOS call of five local fishermen who were drifting at sea after the engines on their boat stopped working. Afiat rescued and took all fishermen back to land in good health. This is the second successful mission of this type completed by the Royal Brunei Navy.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Remembering Brunei's Naval Ships". AsiaOne.com. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  2. ^ "FPB 41". Luerssen-Defence.com. Lürssen Defence. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Two more German-built Ijtihad class patrol boats commissioned". MinDef.gov.bn. Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Royal Brunei, Royal Malaysian navies commence Exercise Hornbill". NavalToday.com. Naval Today. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  5. ^ "KDB Afiat rescued five stranded local fishermem". MinDef.gov.bn. Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2020.

Media related to 20 KDB Afiat (2009) at Wikimedia Commons