Source: Bernama
January 30, 2005 18:03
PM
M'sian Navy Pioneer Submariners Begin Training In
France
From Openg Onn
PARIS, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- A group of six Royal Malaysian Navy
officers have started their training in Brest, a French naval base
some 500km west of here, under a programme to prepare them as
submariners following Malaysia's move to purchase two
diesel-powered Scorpene submarines from France.
Malaysian Defence Attache in France Capt Musa Omar said the
officers with the rank of lieutenants and lieutenant-commanders
arrived here early this week and later proceeded to Brest for the
training.
The officers were the first batch of 156 naval officers and
personnel to be sent to France to undergo the four-year training
programme, with the rest coming in two batches in March and
October.
He said they would train with similar type submarines known as
"AGOSTA" of the French navy to adapt themselves to Scorpene whose
construction was slated for completion in 2008.
The navy officers and personnel forming Malaysia's pioneer
submariners in the newly formed force under the Royal Malaysian
Navy would bring home the underwater combat vessel when they are
completed.
The two Scorpene submarines are being built at the Cherboug coastal
town, some 300km north-west of here, by DCN Cherbourge Shipyard, a
French contractor.
Malaysia sent a team of 19 senior naval officers and men,
accompanied by their families, since two years ago to monitor and
oversee the progress of the submarine construction after it signed
the contract in June 2002.
The Submarine Force Project Team comprising all RMN units -
executives, engineering (electrical and mechanical) and logistics
-- is headed by First Admiral Datuk Kamal Darus.
Acquisition of the state-of-the-art submarines marked another
milestone for the Malaysian Armed Forces, especially the navy,
being in the forefront to safeguard the country's territorial
waters.
-- BERNAMA
