Navy plans to buy 2 more submarines
The navy has two Scorpene submarines, which are based at Sepanggar in Sabah. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The government plans to acquire two more submarines under the Royal Malaysian Navy’s 15 to 5 transformation plan.
The first submarine is to be acquired under the 14th Malaysia Plan (2031-2035) while the second submarine is to be acquired under the 15th Malaysia Plan (2036-2040), said the defence ministry (Mindef) in a statement.
Malaysia currently has two Scorpene submarines, obtained in 2009 and 2010, which are based at the Sepanggar naval base in Sabah. They were bought in a deal amounting to US$1.2 billion (RM4.8 billion).
Mindef did not state which type of submarine would be bought.
The announcement of the future purchase was made in conjunction with defence minister Mohamad Hasan’s first official trip to Sabah, during which he said an army camp will be built in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, at a cost of RM646.15 million.
Mindef said the navy’s submarines “are strategic assets which have boosted its capabilities in line with maritime defence strategies to deal with the regional and global geo-strategic environment, especially issues related to the South China Sea”.
China has claimed sovereignty over large portions of the South China Sea, and has border disputes with Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam over several islands.
Mindef said the navy also hopes to improve the infrastructure, assets and equipment at the Sandakan and Tawau naval bases to better face threats in the Sulu and Sulawesi seas.
It also said the navy is currently awaiting approval from the finance ministry for its plans to procure a second batch of large patrol craft known as littoral mission ships.
The navy has taken delivery of four ships between March 2021 and January last year. A total of 18 ships are to be built. The ships will support missions including anti-surface warfare, mine warfare, hydrography and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties
Mohamad said an infantry battalion and several units of the 13th Infantry Brigade will be based in the new army camp to be built in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, Bernama reported.
He said this would increase the army’s capability and preparedness in dealing with current threats, as well as strengthen security levels on Sabah’s east coast.
PETALING JAYA: The government plans to acquire two more submarines under the Royal Malaysian Navy’s 15 to 5 transformation plan.
The first submarine is to be acquired under the 14th Malaysia Plan (2031-2035) while the second submarine is to be acquired under the 15th Malaysia Plan (2036-2040), said the defence ministry (Mindef) in a statement.
Malaysia currently has two Scorpene submarines, obtained in 2009 and 2010, which are based at the Sepanggar naval base in Sabah. They were bought in a deal amounting to US$1.2 billion (RM4.8 billion).
Mindef did not state which type of submarine would be bought.
The announcement of the future purchase was made in conjunction with defence minister Mohamad Hasan’s first official trip to Sabah, during which he said an army camp will be built in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, at a cost of RM646.15 million.
Mindef said the navy’s submarines “are strategic assets which have boosted its capabilities in line with maritime defence strategies to deal with the regional and global geo-strategic environment, especially issues related to the South China Sea”.
China has claimed sovereignty over large portions of the South China Sea, and has border disputes with Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam over several islands.
Mindef said the navy also hopes to improve the infrastructure, assets and equipment at the Sandakan and Tawau naval bases to better face threats in the Sulu and Sulawesi seas.
It also said the navy is currently awaiting approval from the finance ministry for its plans to procure a second batch of large patrol craft known as littoral mission ships.
The navy has taken delivery of four ships between March 2021 and January last year. A total of 18 ships are to be built. The ships will support missions including anti-surface warfare, mine warfare, hydrography and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties
Mohamad said an infantry battalion and several units of the 13th Infantry Brigade will be based in the new army camp to be built in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, Bernama reported.
He said this would increase the army’s capability and preparedness in dealing with current threats, as well as strengthen security levels on Sabah’s east coast.
They should buy submarines from China. That will help relieve the political tensions in the South China Sea, and nowadays just as good as Western equipment, if not superior.
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