RMN involvement at US exercise not a waste of money — chief

KUALA LUMPUR: The participation of Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in the ongoing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018 international maritime warfare exercise in Hawaii, United States (US) is not a waste of money, says its chief Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin.

He said RMN frigate, KD Lekiu’s, maiden participation in the world’s largest maritime exercise, organised by the US Navy since 1971, would be a test to the resilience and preparedness of its assets and team.

“The 33-day journey of KD Lekiu to Hawaii with a distance of more than 11,000 kilometres is proof that the RMN asset is well-maintained despite being old, still competitive and on par with navies from other countries,” he told reporters at the RMN Aidilfitri gathering yesterday.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman said RMN officers and personnel would also benefit from the exercise as they get to undergo training with other navies in an effort to empower military strategy and various aspects of knowledge.

“The benefits gained from the RMN participation are so valuable,” he said, adding that the RMN had won a category at the RIMPAC 2018 innovation competition and bagged several awards.

A total of 150 KD Lekiu crew members began their journey to Hawaii on May 25 to participate in the RIMPAC 2018 which would end on Aug 2.

Over 25,000 navy personnel from 27 countries including Canada, Australia, Vietnam and the US are taking part in the exercise, which involves 52 vessels, five submarines, 29 maritime patrol aircraft, 200 fighter jets and helicopters. - Bernama