The Malaysian Navy’s second Scorpene Class submarine KD Tun Razak has begun its maiden voyage from Toulon, France, to its home port of Kota Kinabalu on Borneo.

The submarine will reach the port of Lumut in Malaysia in about two months, after which it will undergo scheduled maintenance in Malaysia and tropical climate sea trials.

The 67.5m-long submarine has a displacement capacity of 1,550t and can accommodate a crew of 31.

KD Tun Razak was developed jointly by DCNS and Spanish naval shipbuilder Navantia by incorporating a wide range of advanced technologies in the areas of hydrodynamics, acoustic discretion and automation.

In June 2002, DCNS signed a contract with the Malaysian government for two Scorpene submarines, and associated logistics and training.