LUMUT, April 24 — The tragedy of missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 has revealed a need for the government to strengthen the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN)’s assets and capability to conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations, said RMN Fleet Commander, Vice-Admiral Datuk Abd Hadi A. Rashid.

He said this included procuring sophisticated equipment and the latest submarines such as the Bluefin-21 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) which was being deployed by the Australian navy to detect and recover the jetliner in the Indian Ocean.

Abd Hadi said the capability of equipment such as the Bluefin which could dive to a depth of 4,500 meters would be highly sought after in future SARs.

“For the time being, RMN is just as capable with its various modern equipment.

“However, RMN needs to optimise all military assets it owns,” he told reporters at the Media with Defence Ministry and RMN Day at the naval base in Lumut, Perak, here today.

He said there was still room to empower SAR missions involving the RMN fleet in future.

According to him, the diving assets owned by RMN were only for undersea search of up 100 metres deep.

In this regard, he admitted the media coverage and wide publicity given to RMN had attracted more youths to join the force.

“The local media has raised the image and reputation of the navy in disseminating information on the role of RMN,” he said.

On the 80th RMN anniversary celebration, members of the public are invited to attend the 1MINDEF Open Armada and Carnival Day this weekend at the Lumut naval base.                                                                     

The highlights of the occasion would be the display of various RMN assets including the submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman and demonstrations by the Special Navy Team (PASKAL). — Bernama