Navy completes exercise in South China, Sulu seas

Combat ready mission: The naval exercise provided an avenue for the eastern fleet, its personnel, platforms and processes, to be tested extensively, said Admiral Sabri.

KOTA KINABALU: The Navy demonstrated its presence and capabilities in an annual exercise held in the South China Sea and Sulu Sea.

The exercise, codenamed Ostex East 2/2022 and coordinated by the Eastern Fleet Command, allowed the Navy to test its efficiency and state of readiness, covering navigation, maritime knowledge and warfare.

The exercise from Aug 23 to yesterday was also held to showcase its assets in Malaysia’s maritime zones, especially in the South China Sea and Sulu Sea.

Region 2 commander Rear Admiral Sazalee Shoib launched Ostex East 2/2022 at the navy base here with the first phase of the exercise involving activities such as briefings, operational discussions and practical training at the port.

Phase two involved real-time maritime training that saw 11 ships taking part.

The ships set sail across the South China Sea heading to the Sulu Sea before ending their journey at the Region 2 base in Sandakan.

Among the main activities were surface warfare training, manoeuvre tactical training, static surface targeting training, and helicopter landing on the ships.

This was also the inaugural involvement of the Maritime Helicopter Operation in this annual exercise.

In the closing ceremony, Eastern Fleet Command commander Vice Admiral Datuk Sabri Zali said the exercise provided an avenue for the eastern fleet, its personnel, platforms and processes, to be tested extensively.

In a statement, he said the navy and the preparedness of the eastern fleet as well as its operational protocols and logistical capabilities must be improved to ensure it remained relevant and efficient.

“This intra-exercise will be continued to be implemented in line with the navy’s role, which is to provide a fleet that is competent and ready,” he added.