Embassy of Malaysia
Paris
09/09 09 July 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Malaysia’s first submarine waved off from Toulon, France
Malaysia’s first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman left Toulon, France on its historic maiden journey to Malaysia this morning at 11am on 9 July, 2009.
2. The submarine was waved off by Ambassador of Malaysia to France, H.E. Dato’ S. Thanarajasingam, accompanied by the Defence Attaché, Captain Khairuddin Mohd. Ariff (RMN) and officials from the Malaysia’s submarine project team as well as French senior navy officials led by Admiral Yann Tainguy.
3. The submarine consisting of 35 crew members is commandeered by Commander Zulhelmy bin Ithnain (RMN).
4. The submarine is expected to stop at Lumut and Port Kelang for a few days before continuing the journey to Sepanggar naval base in Sabah. En route to Malaysia, the submarine will transit at major ports such as Jeddah, Djibouti and Cochin.
5. The submarine project started when Malaysia signed a deal to purchase two submarines in 2002. The first submarine was finally completed with the departure of KD Tunku Abdul Rahman which is expected to reach its Malaysian home in Sepanggar by early September 2009.
Embassy of Malaysia
Paris
09 July 2009