The maintenance cost of the two Royal Malaysian Navy Scorpene submarines had yet to be finalised, said Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

NONE He said the government was currently holding negotiations to get the best deals for the maintenance of the submarines.

"A claim that DCNS (France shipbuilder) had offered a three-year contract worth RM30 million to Boustead Naval Corporation Sdn Bhd is slander and baseless," he said to a question from Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) when winding up debate at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Ahmad Zahid ( left ) also denied Tian Chua's claim that both submarines were equipped with navigation safety and combat systems, sensors and a periscope simulator.

The navy took delivery of the two Scorpene submarines costing RM3.4 billion from DCNS and its Spanish partner, Navantia last year.

The contract for the supply and delivery of Scorpene submarine navigation safety and combat systems, sensors and periscope simulators costing RM128.5 million was signed during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2010, said Ahmad Zahid.

Tian Chua claimed that the cost of maintaining the two submarines amounted RM270 million per year and DCNS had signed a contract worth RM128.5 million to supply the navigation safety and combat systems, sensors and periscope simulators.

- Bernama