MALAYSIA'S FIRST SUBMARINE MAKES PORT CALL AT COCHIN

By P.Vijian

COCHIN, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's first submarine, on its maiden voyage to the naval base in Sepanggar Bay in East Malaysia state of Sabah, made a port call at the Indian naval dockyard here on Tuesday.

The Scorpene-class submarine, named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, which began its
journey on July 9, transited in Jeddah and Djibouit, before reaching Cochin
waters in Kerala.

In 2002, the Malaysian government acquired two submarines, jointly built by
the French DCNS and Spanish Navantia experts at Cherbourg in France.

In January, the first submarine was handed over to the Royal Malaysian Navy
at the naval base in Toulon.

INS Sujata (Indian navy's patrol vessel) received the submarine and the
naval band INS Krishna gave them a warm reception. No joint operation was
planned.

"Only a football match will be played with Indian naval cadets. Indian naval
officials were present to receive the sub's crew," a high-ranking official of
the Indian navy's Southern Command told Bernama.

After three days in Cochin, the diesel-powered submarine will depart for
Lumut and Port Klang before reaching its final destination at Sepanggar in
September.

The submarine commanded by Commander Zulhelmy Ithnain of the Royal Malaysian
Navy is sailing with 35 crew members on board.

The underwater machine is named after Malaysia's first prime minister Tunku
Abdul Rahman.
-- BERNAMA