Malaysia said on Thursday that it would acquire more submarines, if necessary and financially affordable.

Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid made this remark when he was attending a ceremony to welcome the arrival of the country's first submarine at Port Klang, some 40 km west of the capital.

Ahmad Zahid told reporters that Malaysia would acquire more submarines if it was necessary and the financial status allowed the government to do so.

This would probably take place during the 13th or 14th Malaysia Plan, added Ahmad Zahid.

A Malaysia Plan is a five year plan rolled out to develop various areas including infrastructure, healthcare, education as well as economy of the nation.

The ongoing Ninth Malaysia Plan started in 2006 and will end in2010.

Malaysia's first submarine, which was jointly built by France and Spain, arrived at a Malaysian naval base in West Port of Port Klang Thursday morning.

It was one of the two submarines purchased by the Malaysian government so far.

Malaysian Supreme Head Mizan Zainal Abidin, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Ahmad Zahid went there to welcome the arrival of the Scorpene-class vessel.


Malaysian Supreme Head Mizan Zainal Abidin (2nd R, central row), Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (3rd R, central row) and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Raza (2nd L, central row) welcome Malaysia's first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman at a Malaysian naval base at Port Klang in Malaysia's central state of Selangor, Sept. 3, 2009. The submarine, which was jointly built by France and Spain, is named after Malaysia 's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)
Ahmad Zahid said that, with the submarine delivered, Malaysia would be able to remain present in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean.

Ahmad Zahid also said that with the submarine, Malaysia could carry out joint exercises with neighboring countries to strengthen the capability of safeguarding the region.

Touching on Malaysia's defense budget for 2010, Ahmad Zahid said the amount would be much reduced given the current economic situation.

Source: Xinhua