KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) submarine, KD Tun Razak, is in excellent condition and fully capable of operating effectively. Mohamed Khaled made this statement during a working visit to the Navy base in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, where he observed the submarine’s capabilities firsthand.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Khaled personally witnessed KD Tun Razak’s ability to dive to its maximum operating depth while aboard the offshore patrol vessel (OPV) KD Selangor during an operational observation in the South China Sea. He highlighted that this demonstrated the country’s submarine’s effectiveness and efficiency, attributing the successful mission to a skilled and competent crew trained through the submarine acquisition project.

Mohamed Khaled expressed confidence that KD Tun Razak not only represents the modernisation of the RMN fleet but also plays a significant role in bolstering Malaysia’s image as a nation with a resp
ected and formidable navy. He reiterated this sentiment in a Facebook post, underscoring the importance of the submarine to national defence.

He further noted that the Scorpene-class submarine was acquired from France and commissioned in 2009. Mohamed Khaled also committed to continuous efforts for modernising and empowering strategic military assets to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.

The Defence Ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, and Eastern Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Datuk Muhammad Ruzelme Ahmad Fahimy, were also present during the visit.