Royal Malaysian Navy Scorpene-type submarine Tunku Abdul Rahman has completed its first sea trials off the Malaysian coast following scheduled maintenance at its home port. The trials confirm the boat’s readiness for underwater service.
Following maintenance, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman was floated out and made ready to resume its training schedule, including dive trials by the Malaysian crew off its home coast.
“These trials demonstrate that the Royal Malaysian Navy has successfully established the country’s first ever submarine force,” says Pierre Quinchon, head of DCNS’s Submarine division. “We are proud indeed of our contribution to this success and the close ties built up with Malaysia.”
The contract between the Malaysian government and DCNS for two Scorpene submarines and associated logistics and training was signed in June 2002.
With a displacement of 1,550 tonnes for a length overall of 67.5 metres, each boat requires a crew of just 31 and offers 45 days’ endurance.
The Scorpene programme confirms DCNS’s know-how as a leading prime contractor for sophisticated warship programmes. With ten units ordered (two for Chile, two for Malaysia and six for India), Scorpene is now an international benchmark in SSK design.
The Scorpene was designed by DCNS and developed jointly by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia. The design features a range of advanced technologies – particularly in hydrodynamics, acoustic discretion and automation – drawing on innovations developed in recent years for other submarine programmes.
KD Tun Razak, the second Scorpene for the Royal Malaysian Navy, currently in Toulon, will sail from France to Malaysia in a few months.
