MALAYSIA`S FIRST SCORPENE SUBMARINE WILL ARRIVE ON JULY 25

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's first Scorpene submarine KD
Tunku Abdul Rahman which left Toulon, France on January 24 will arrive here on
July 25.

Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Admiral Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the
submarine would dock at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah naval base at Pulau Indah,
Klang near here and received by the Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

He said the submarine would then set sail for the naval base at Lumut where
the crew were based.

"We will then make preparation for Lima 2009 in Langkawi before heading for
the submarine base at Sepanggar just outside Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (East Malaysia
state in Borneo island)," he said after the launch of the RMN diamond jubilee
logo by Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Abdul Aziz Zainal here Friday.

The RMN chief said the submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman would be fully
operated by a Malaysian crew.

"They are undergoing skills training to handle and operate the submarine for
specific missions. French naval officers will train our men on the technical
aspect," he said.

Scorpene is a conventional combat submarine that can operate in depths of
100-200 metres.

It is equipped with six missiles, anti-ship surface missiles and
anti-submarine torpedoes.

The diesel and electric powered Scorpene can reach a speed of 20 knots and
capable of carrying 10 torpedoes and 30 mines.

The Scorpene submarine was built in Cherbourg, France by Navantia of Spain
and DCNS of France.
-- BERNAMA