RMN to send KD Lekiu for Rimpac exercise in Hawaii

KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time ever, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will send its frigate, KD Lekiu, to participate in the Rim of The Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018 international maritime warfare exercise in Honolulu, Hawaii next month.
RMN chief, Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, said that more interestingly, other warfare vessels including from the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and India would also join in the passage exercise (Passex).
Without disclosing the number of RMN personnel to be involved in the Rimpac exercise, he said KD Lekiu would be away for three months, including its journey.
"This exercise will see the participation of 51 ships and five submarines from 16 countries, all of which have confirmed to take part," he told Bernama in conjunction with the Asian Defence Services (DSA) and National Security Exhibition (NatSec) Asia 2018 exhibitions, at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) here.
Ahmad Kamarulzaman said the RMN had previously been involved in the biennial exercise, but only as an observer.
"This (participation) shows the commitment of the RMN towards empowering defence diplomacy and enhancing the inter-operability of the navy's assets to a high level of professionalism," he said, adding that such a cooperation would contribute to maritime security in the region and globally.
The exhibitions drew the participation of about 1,500 defence-related companies and 350 delegates from 45 countries, which included South Korea, China, Japan, Australia, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia.
The four-day exhibition, which began last Monday and targeted 40,000 visitors, serves as a platform for defence and security top management worldwide to exchange ideas, as well as offer an opportunity for key players to market their products and services. — Bernama