KD Tun Razak , the second of the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) two Scorpene submarines, entered national waters yesterday.

NONE The submarine, which was launched by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah on Oct 8, 2008, arrived at the Lumut naval base for an official homecoming ceremony today.

The ceremony was graced by the Sultan of Perak Azlan Shah and the Sultan of Selangor Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is also RMN captain-in-chief.

Also present were Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Armed Forces chief Azizan Ariffin.

KD Tun Razak will continue its journey to its home base at the Sepanggar Bay aval Base in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, a week from now, joining the other submarine - KD Tunku Abdul ahman. 

The KD Tun Razak - named after second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein - can reach diving depths of up to 300m and has a 31-man crew.

NONE KD Tun Razak left for home from Madrid after successful sea trials.

The country's first submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman , arrived at Port Klang on Sept 3 last year.

Malaysia acquired both Scorpene submarines at a cost of RM3.4 billion in 2002 and they were built jointly by France's Direction des Constructions Navales Services and Spain's Navantia.

Both diesel-electric-powered submarines of the Perdana Menteri-class will operate out of their main base - Teluk Sepanggar in Sabah.

A crew of 142 underwent training in Brest, France to prepare them for Scorpene duties.

- Bernama