Cherbourg: A nearly three-month voyage from Cherbourg, France, to Malaysia in 1973 was not merely a mission to bring home four Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) warships, but a challenging journey that tested the endurance and courage of the 171 personnel involved.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, retired Rear Admiral Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah stated that at the age of 22, he and 170 other crew members were tasked with bringing home the KD Perdana, KD Ganas, KD Ganyang, and KD Serang. These were among the earliest modern offensive warships acquired by the RMN and operated in Southeast Asia. Danyal emphasized the responsibility they held in fulfilling their duty to the country while navigating the vessels home.
The four Perdana-class Combattante vessels, constructed by Constructions M©caniques de Normandie (CMN) in Cherbourg, were equipped with various modern weapons systems, including MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles, providing the RMN with long-range strike capability. The mission faced numerous challenges, such as rough seas and mechanical breakdowns, which the crew had to overcome to ensure the ships reached Malaysia for the RMN Day celebrations on July 1, 1973.
The squadron embarked on the approximately 12,000-nautical-mile journey from Cherbourg on May 5, 1973, but had to return due to bad weather in the Bay of Biscay, resuming the voyage the following day. The original route through the Suez Canal was altered due to its closure amid the Middle East crisis, forcing the squadron to navigate around the Cape of Good Hope before crossing the Indian Ocean.
One of the most challenging parts of the journey occurred near the Cape of Good Hope, where strong winds and large waves required minor course adjustments and speed changes to ensure the safety of the vessels and crew. KD Perdana experienced a steering system failure, and KD Serang's liferaft broke loose in rough seas, while KD Perdana sustained significant damage to its upper deck.
The voyage included 14 port-of-call stops for replenishment, including Lisbon, Portugal; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; Dakar, Senegal; Lagos, Nigeria; Mossamedes, Angola; Simon's Town, South Africa; Louren§o Marques, Mozambique; Diego Suarez, Madagascar; Mah©, Seychelles, and Addu Atoll, Maldives. After overcoming numerous challenges, the crew experienced a moment of gratification upon spotting Pulau Jarak on the radar as they entered the Straits of Melaka, eventually docking at Butterworth, Penang.
The squadron docked at Klang before arriving at the Malaysian Base Jetty in Woodlands, Singapore, on July 1, 1973, participating in the ship parade for the RMN Day celebrations, achieving the government's target. Notably, four of the squadron's crew members later became navy chiefs, with one also serving as Chief of the Defence Forces (MAF) towards the end of his career.
Today, the four vessels, each with a displacement of 234 tonnes and a length of 47 meters, remain in service to safeguard Malaysia's maritime areas, repurposed from missile boats to patrol vessels due to outdated systems and equipment. The voyage story serves as a historical chapter reminding us of the sacrifices made for the nation, highlighting security personnel's willingness to forgo comfort and risk their safety for their duty.
In conjunction with the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations (HKHM), the story of the 171 RMN personnel underscores that the peace and sovereignty enjoyed today were built on the courage and sacrifices of previous generations prioritizing national duty over personal interests.