Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia today gave a rousing
welcome to its first submarine with the king saying that the
acquisition of the vessel is the government`s biggest
commitment to enhance the capability of its armed forces to
safeguard the country`s sovereignty.
The Scorpene submarine, named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman after
the country`s first premier, arrived at a naval base in Pulau
Indah after a 54-day journey from France making stops at
Jeddah, Djibouti and Cochin.
King Mizan Zainal Abidin, Prime Minister Najib Razak and
other dignitaries watched the submarine surface at the harbour
in a nationally televised ceremony.
"The acquisition enables the navy in particular, and the
Malaysian Armed Forces in general, to develop a more credible
and capable military force in the region," the king said.
"The acquisition of submarines for Royal Malaysian Navy
(RMN) is the government`s biggest commitment to safeguard the
sovereignty of Malaysian waters from any threat," he said.
Malaysia ordered in 2002 two diesel-electric Scorpene
attack submarines at a cost of USD 900 million. The submarines
were built by DCNS of France and Navantia of Spain.
The second submarine is to be delivered to Malaysia next
year. Malaysia has maintained that the submarines are not
meant to threaten any other country.
Bureau Report
