KD Tun Razak Submarine Enters Malaysian Waters

KD Tun Razak is a second Scorpene submarine for RMN

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- KD Tun Razak, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN)'s second of two Scorpene submarines, entered the national waters, Thursday.

The submarine, which was launched by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah on Oct 8, 2008, is heading for the Lumut naval base for an official homecoming ceremony, Friday.

The ceremony will be graced by the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah and the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who is also RMN captain-in-chief.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin will also be present.

Manned by a crew of 31, KD Tun Razak, which was named after second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, can reach diving depths of up to 300 metres.

KD Tun Razak left for home from Madrid after successful sea trials. The country's first submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, arrived at Port Klang on Sept 3 last year.

Malaysia acquired both Scorpene submarines at the cost of RM3.4 billion in 2002 and they were built jointly by France's Direction des Constructions Navales Services and Spain's Navantia.

Both diesel-electric powered submarines of the Perdana Menteri-class will operate out of their main base - Teluk Sepanggar in Sabah.

A crew of 142 underwent training at Brest, France to prepare them for Scorpene duties.