If there is no problems / delays , RMN submarines might reach their operational status by 2012 onwards.
Malaysia To Take Delivery Of Submarines In 2009
From Jamaluddin Muhamad
CHERBOURG (France), June 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will take delivery of its two Scorpene submarines in 2009, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said here.
He said one of the submarines was expected to arrive in the country in the middle of that year and the other at the end.
Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said the construction of the two submarines was proceeding according to schedule, with 35 per cent of work completed.
He spoke to Malaysian journalists after a visit to the construction site at the DCN dock here, about 300 km from Paris, yesterday.
The two submarines are being built jointly by DCN International, the French shipbuilder, and Izar, the Spanish shipbuilder.
Although the first of the submarines could be ready in early 2009, delivery would only take place in the middle of the year after personnel from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) had completed their training in handling the craft, he said.
Seventy RMN personnel have just started training at the Malaysian Submarine School at the DCN marine base in Brest, about 500 km from Paris.
"The submarine programme enables Malaysia, as a maritime and trading nation, to have the additional capacity required of the RMN.
"Submarines have the force multiplier not found in ordinary vessels. It gives high deterrent value to the country," said Najib.
He also said that the government would not compromise on the quality and the four-year period of training for the RMN personnel who would handle the submarines.
He said the government would not be too anxious to take delivery of the submarines though they would be ready in early 2009.
Asked about media reports that the submarines were scheduled to be completed in 2008, Najib said: "The construction is proceeding according to schedule and they will be completed on schedule. Only the training of the personnel has been delayed a little, due to a delay in the signing of the agreement on the training."
Najib said only 31 crew was required to handle a Scorpene, the world's most sophisticated conventional submarine.
Overall, a total of 156 personnel would undergo training, he said, adding that the additional number was to accommodate the manpower needs of the submarine unit.
Najib also said that the trainees would be given three weeks of leave after every four months of training, contrary to the provision of the original contract where they would be allowed leave only after every eight months of training.
He also said that the government was looking into the payment of a special allowance for submarine crew.
Earlier, Najib visited the RMN trainees in Brest and joined them for Friday prayers at the school.
Nine RMN officers are monitoring the construction of the submarines in Cherbourg.
Asked for the names of the submarines, Najib said they were under consideration. He said the submarines would be based in Teluk Sepanggar in Sabah.
Meanwhile, DCN International Programme Director for the Malaysian submarines project, Philippe Novelli, told Malaysian journalists the forward and hull parts of the two submarines were being built here and the aft part in Cartegena, Spain.
The final assembly for the first submarine would be done here and the final assembly for the second submarine in Cartegena. Construction of the submarines began in 2003 after the Malaysian government finalised the contract to purchase them in June 2002.
Novelli said the diesel- and electric-powered submarines would be equipped with Black Shark torpedoes and SM-99 guided missiles which could be launched from below water.
"They are able to handle anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare," he said.
DCN International provides transfer of technology through training, which includes simulator and a refurbished Agosta submarine used as a platform for training. The Agosta is similar to the Scorpene submarine. The Scorpene's overall length is 66.4 metres and it has a maximum speed of 20 knots and underwater endurance of 45 days.
Also present during Najib's visit were Chief of Navy Admiral Datuk Illyas Mohd Din and Malaysia's Ambassador to France Datuk Hamidah Mohd Yusoff.
Later, Najib attended a reception with the Malaysian community here.
-- BERNAMA