30 New RMN Submariners Graduated

06 Desember 2022

Graduation of 30 submariners (photo : RMN)

KOTA KINABALU – The Submarine Command Headquarters held the 2022 Submarine Expertise Badge Application Ceremony which was attended by the Chief of Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Reza bin Mohd Sany at the Submarine Command Headquarters, Kota Kinabalu.

The Submarine Expertise Badge Application Ceremony this time saw a total of 30 students from the Level 1 Submarine Qualification Course consisting of 11 officers and 19 other ranks from various trades receive their expertise badges and been awarded the title of RMN submariner. These people have gone through several phases of training and successfully passed all the aspects that were tested.

Since 2011, the Submarine Training Center (PLKS) has been the unit responsible for producing new RMN submariners to ensure that both RMN submarines are staffed with competent and trained crews. To date, a total of 148 RMN personnel have successfully completed the course at PLKS and become RMN submariners. In addition, various qualification and expertise courses to improve the capabilities and skills of RMN submariners are also systematically implemented.

Two RMN's Scorpene submarine (photo : Utusan)

Additional submarine

The Navy Chief stressed the challenge of operating obsolete assets and defence budget constraints, indeed affects the readiness and capabilities of the RMN and indirectly risks the safety of the RMN’s own citizens when carrying out assigned assignments. Without appropriate provisions, it can affect the ability to maintain a high level of readiness and act against any threat especially involving national security.

Therefore, the RMN hopes that the new government will be able to adjust the security budget from 1% to 1.5% so that the defence capability can be adapted to the current security landscape scenario. In addition, the addition of assets based on the 15-to-5 plan planned by RMN is expected to be continued by the government, especially in the acquisition of 2 new submarines as well as continuing the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project and the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Second Batch project.

He also expressed his pride and reminded that the level of readiness of submarines and the competence of each RMN submariner is maintained at the highest level at all times. He wants RMN Submarine Force to continue to strive to master the field of subsurface warfare and knowledge related to submarines.

The use of the Submarine Expertise Badge Council has proven the ability of RMN to operate high-tech systems and can save training costs by reducing the dependence of training abroad.

(MYMilitaryTimes)