The Rise of Teguh Samudera

RMN’s second training ship, the Teguh Samudera (Firm Ocean) was recently launched by Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, the wife of former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at NGV Tech shipyard in Sijangkang, Banting, Selangor on February 27.

This was the second launch for RMN’s latest Samudera class training ships after Gagah Samudera (Mighty Ocean), the lead ship was launched by the Datin Seri Rosmah Mansur, the wife of the current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on December 14, 2012. (here)

Both the Gagah Samudera and Teguh Samudera are 75.9 meters long, have a helicopter deck as well as capable of operating up to 2,500 nautical miles non-stop for 21 days. 47 crews are needed to operate the ships. Beside the crews, both ships are able to accomodate 60 trainees on board including a specialised compartment for female whom 12 could be brought along.

The ships are also equipped with combat system, radar, navigational and communication equipment as well as close-in weapons enabling them to conduct limited combat operation beside their primary training role.

Unlike the Gagah Samudera which hull blocks were built by DSME at its facility in South Korea, the Teguh Samudera was wholly built by NGV Tech. The keel laying works were conducted on January 10 and its takes just 56 days after the works to complete and launch the vessel. Teguh Samudera will be officially handed over to the RMN on June 21, 2013.

The RMN Chief of Staff has taken this opportunity to proposed to the Government for conducting a follow up procurement of additional two of such vessel in the future to fulfill the RMN’s requirement for four training vessels.

In conjunction with the launching ceremony, Tun Dr Mahathir, one of Malaysia’s advocate on local maritime industries also took the chance to look at the progress of Gagah Samudera which is currently undergoing fitting works at NGV Tech’s facility.

source Malaysia Flying Herald