July 11,
2008: In France, 119 Malaysian sailors
and officers completed a four year course in operating submarines. Another 143
sailors are still undergoing training. Malaysia has bought two Scorpene subs
from France. The Scorpene is a modern French-Spanish diesel-electric submarine
(a variant uses air-independent propulsion) that displaces 1,700 tons, has a
top speed of 37 kilometers per hour, and is armed with six 21-inch torpedo
tubes with eighteen torpedoes or SM.39 Exocet anti-ship missiles. Each sub has
a crew of 31. The large number of sailors are being trained to allow for those
who will get out of the navy, or may not prove up to the job. Malaysia is also
getting an older Agosta sub as a training boat.
