Malaysian Submariners Complete DCN Course

Awarding of Certificates to Malaysian Submariners

(Source: DCN; dated March 16, web-posted March 19, 2007)

BREST, France --- The Chief of Staff of the Malaysian Navy, Admiral Ramlan, accompanied by Admiral Boiffin, Commander of the Submarine Fleet and Strategic Forces of the French Navy, the directors of ARMARIS -- the prime contractor of the Malaysian submarine program -- and directors of DCI's (Défense Conseil International) submarine training unit, NAVFCO, today handed out certificates and insignia to 29 Malaysian students at the Naval Training Center.

The new submariners had been training in France since 2005, among a total of 146 Malaysians stationed in Brest.

This ceremony, which is the third of its kind, marks the successive phases achieved by the Malaysian submariners in their training program. The certificate and the insignia/badge, presented by the Chief of Staff of the Royal Malaysian Navy to ten of them, correspond to the Elementary Submariner Certificate of the French Navy. It recognizes that those certified have acquired the general knowledge needed to operate a submarine.

The Advanced Certificate, presented to 19 of them, is awarded for having successfully completed the "Advanced Submarine Course" module; it recognizes competence in handling onboard systems. The overall training course is aimed at transmitting to Malaysian crews the skills need to safely operate Scorpene-class submarines.

Armaris, the joint venture of DCN and Thales is the prime contractor for the overall submarine program for Malaysia. This program will allow the Royal Malaysian Navy to acquire an effective submarine force.

Besides the training of Malaysian crews by DCI/NAVFCO, the Malaysian submarine program includes the construction of two Scorpene submarines, being built by DCN as prime contractor and developer, together with its Spanish partner, Navantia. It also includes the maintenance necessary for the Agosta-class Ouessant, which was withdrawn from active service by the French Navy to serve as a trainer for the Malaysian crews, as well as a diving simulator and platform of a Scorpene submarine.

DCN Completes Hull of First Malaysian Scorpene SSK

Joining Ceremony for the First Malaysian Scorpene Submarine


(Source: DCN; issued March 14, 2007)



CHERBOURG, France --- The Chief of Staff of the Malaysian Navy, Admiral Ramlan, and the Chief of Staff of the French Navy, Admiral Oudot de Dainville, were present at the ceremony commemorating the joining of the fore- and aft-sections of the first Scorpene submarine being built for the Malaysian Navy. Also in attendance were the Chief executive officer of DCN, Jean-Marie Poimbœuf, along with representatives of DCN, Armaris and Navantia.

The contract was originally signed in June 2002 between the Malaysian government, DCN and the Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia. It concerns the building of two Scorpene-class submarines, and also covers a contract for training Malaysian crews in submarine handling and operations. These two contracts will allow the Royal Malaysian Navy to acquire a first-class submarine force.

The resistant and highly-elastic hulls of the two submarines were each built in two sections by DCN in Cherbourg (thus four sections overall for the two vessels). This concept allowed for modular, parallel construction. While Navantia undertook the manufacturing and installation of vital equipment and furnishings in the two aft-sections of the vessels in Cartagena, Spain, DCN Cherbourg did the same on the two fore-sections, which included, among other things, the combat system. The finished aft-section of the first submarine was recently transferred from Cartagena to Cherbourg for the joining of the two sections; later the aft-section of the second submarine will be transferred from Cherbourg to Cartagena for its final assembly.

Armaris, a joint venture of DCN and Thales, is the overall prime contractor for the Malaysian submarine program. DCN shares industrial prime contracting and design responsibilities of the Scorpene-class submarine with its Spanish partner, Navantia.

Capable of operating in both brown and blue waters, the Scorpene is armed with Blackshark wire-guided torpedoes and Exocet SM 39 sub-launched, anti-surface-ship missiles. It can undertake a wide range of missions: dissuasion, superiority on the high seas, naval blockades, information-gathering, landing or retrieval of Special Forces, etc. It can operate alone or in combination with air and sea forces.