Malaysia says first submarine unable to dive

Sin Chew Jit Poh ^ | 02/11/2010 | Sin Chew Jit Poh

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Malaysia's first submarine, a European-made Scorpene delivered last September, has developed problems that make it unfit for diving, the defence minister said Thursday.

The KD Tunku Abdul Rahman sailed into a grand reception last year as the first of two commissioned from French contractor DCNS and Spain's Navantia for a total of 3.4 billion ringgit (961 million dollars).

Named after the country's first prime minister, it was hailed as an important acquisition despite opposition allegations of corruption in the deal.

"The submarine can still dive but when we detected the defects, we were advised that it should not dive," Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters.

"The (parts found with) defects are still under warranty so the supplier and contractor are repairing them," he added.

Navy chief Abdul Aziz Jaafar said a problem first emerged in the submarine's cooling system last December. After being fixed, another defect was identified in a different system last month.

"We hope it can dive again after February 18 so we can carry out the tropical water trials," Abdul Aziz told reporters.

The navy chief said the second submarine, the KD Tun Razak which is named after the nation's second premier, is expected to arrive from France on May 31. It was originally scheduled for delivery in late 2009.

The two submarines have attracted controversy since the deal was signed in 2002.

Malaysia's opposition claims that a 540-million-ringgit commission was paid to a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Razak in brokering the contract.

Najib has denied there was any corruption in the deal, which was made when he was defence minister.

[GeronL]

bummer

[sniper63]

Then it is not a submarine it is a surface ship.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I think the RMN should ask for a refund.

[GeronL]

definitely

goodnight!

[Nepeta]

Are there lemon laws for submarines?

[HiTech RedNeck]

It’s a warranty claim

[James C. Bennett]

French / Euro-made?

Did the propeller screw fall off again? LOL!

[HiTech RedNeck]

It’s that pesky Toyota accelerator pedal.

[Ronin]

Oh, I think it can still dive... it’s the getting back to the surface they are worried about.

[Tainan]

The problem isn't with the "diving" part...its the "coming back up" part thats a bit tricky.

I wonder if someone translated all the Technical Manuals (TMs) correctly?

Or even if they were included in the deal. And the revision updates, also...heh heh heh. (the fun is always in the details)

[999replies]

It must have a smell detector that needs reset. Doh!

[killjoy]

Malaysia's opposition claims that a 540-million-ringgit commission was paid to a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Razak in brokering the contract.

The true reason Thailand now wants to buy submarines.

[USF]

I think the RMN should ask for a refund.

They won't be getting a refund on the "commissions" and *cough* *cough* "fees".... or the murder their Prime Minister was involved in during the sub deal.

[USF]

Let’s hope they don’t have to kill their brokers along the way...

[Lockbar]

LOL!

[varon]

Malaysia's first submarine, a European-made Scorpene delivered last September, has developed problems that make it unfit for diving, the defence minister said Thursday.

It's my understanding that a recall has been issued on that class submarine due to a malfunctioning latch on the screen door ;-)

[maine yankee]

Coming from france I’d “look for the union label”

[camle]

I heard they’re suiing the makers of the screen doors...

[dearolddad]

Then it is not a submarine it is a surface ship.

Maybe they should try replacing (Under Warranty) all of the screen doors.