KOTA KINABALU: Visiting French defence minister Yves Le Drian has been impressed with the knowledge of local submariners as well as the Royal Malaysian Navy's overall development.
"After visiting our submarine base, simulator room and the naval base, Le Drian expressed his amazement and satisfaction with our submariners, their knowledge and on the development of their 'investment' (submarines) here," said Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar after meeting with the minister and his entourage at the Sepanggar Navy Base here.
"The minister even said he would be more than happy to take our submariners," said Abdul Aziz.
Abdul Aziz said Le Drian promised to collaborate more in terms of rendering assistance, training and support in relevant fields.
Other Malaysian-French collaborations include the building of six units of littoral combat ships (LCS), which is expected to commence next year.
Abdul Aziz also said the test firing of a Black Shark Torpedo by the Navy in the South China Sea on Oct 31 proved that their submarines were capable of protecting Malaysian waters.
"The damage from the Black Shark torpedo was almost immediate, the damage was 'exceptional'," he said, adding that Malaysia was among the first in the world to purchase the torpedo.
He urged the people to trust the Navy and its defence machinery in safeguarding Malaysian waters.
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