The first of two conventional Scorpion submarines ordered by Malaysia was launched here on Tuesday in the presence of the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Najib Razak.

Constructed jointly by the French company DCNS and Spain's Navantia and named after the leader of Malaysia's independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the submarine is expected to be delivered to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in early 2009.

The second submarine is to be delivered at the end of 2009.

The submarines, which are 67.5 metres (201 feet) long and weigh 1,550 tonnes will be operated by a team of 31 sailors and can patrol for 45 days at a stretch.