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| KDB Darussalam OPV (File Photo) |
HAWAII, Monday 14 July 2014 - KDB Darussalam & KDB Darulaman has proved her fighting capability by firing her missile system for the first time. Darussalam class patrol vessel, KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulaman have successfully conducted its first exocet mm40 block ii surface to surface missile firing in the pacific missile range facility (PMRF), 80 nautical miles north of Kaua’i Island.
Both RBN ships are currently participating in its first multi-national exercise rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) which is hosted by the United States third fleet in Hawaii for a month long. RBN ships participating in the ‘sink’ exercise (SINKEX) with other participating nations fired the exocet surface to surface missiles at around 0920w (local time 0320h). Both missiles were successfully launched towards the intended target simultaneously at a distance of approximately 40 nautical miles. The tactical firing was aim to achieve full operational capability of the Darussalam class patrol vessels. On completion of the missile engagement, both ships returned to Pearl Harbor to refuel before rejoining for the next sea phase of the exercise with task force 175 on 18 july 2014.
Officers and crew have worked tirelessly to meet all the requirements as well as making sure the ship remains at the highest state of maintenance. They have proven themselves they could deal with these evolutions and by completing the exercise; KDB Darussalam & KDB Darulehsan adds another significant accomplishment in its operational capability and marks another major milestone for the Royal Brunei Navy.
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| Exocet Missile launched from KDB Darussalam |
Apart from reaching operational capability, enhancing trust and confidence amongst world’s navies, capacity buildings are also achieved. Building capacity proves to be a worthy dogma in precluding and countering to any maritime security challenges. Occasion such as RIMPAC 2014 certainly provides that opportunity and the Royal Brunei Navy is definitely gaining from the experience and the significance of the event.
Present to witness the live-feed firing located at the pacific war centre was Deputy Minister of Defence of Brunei Darussalam, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, accompanied by Commander of Royal Brunei Navy, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Hj Mohd Tamit.
The RIMPAC exercise is presently ongoing and will conclude on 30 July 2014. Both RBN ships are scheduled to depart Hawaii on 4 august 2014 for the voyage back to Brunei Darussalam.
Taking the opportunity as well, a ceremony for the distribution of dates bestowed by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in conjunction of the holy month of Ramadhan 1435 Hijrah was also held for the officers and personnel of KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulaman. The distribution of dates were presented by First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Hj Mohd Tamit, Commander of Royal Brunei Navy.