As built, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman displaces 1,600 tons when surfaced and 1,740 tons when submerged. Propulsion is by way of 2 x SEMT-Pielstick 12 PA4 200SM DS diesel engines with 1 x Jeumont Industrie electric motor developing 4,700 horsepower to a single shaft. This arrangement provides the vessels with a top ocean-going speed of 12 knots when surfaced and nearly 21 knots when submerged. Range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (6,900 miles) surfaced and 360 nautical miles (410 miles) submerged. The boat can reach depths of nearly 1,000 feet. Her entire crew complement numbers 32 sailors and officers. Processing systems include an I-band navigation radar system as well as sonar and a Thales DR3000 tactical Electronic Support Measures (ESM) receiver. ESM is used to detect, identify and locate radiated electromagnetic energy sources emerging from potential undersea, on-sea and oversea threats.
Outwardly, the boat takes on a conventional submarine shape with a rounded bow and tubular hull shape, tapered at the stern. Dive planes are featured along the sides of the sail which is well-contoured to the upper section of the hull and contained various communication and sensor stems. Her length is 217.9 feet with a beam of 20.3 feet and draught of 17.8 feet. A rudder system is identified at the extreme aft of the vessel where the propeller also resides. Finish of the entire boat is of an all-black coating.
As an attack submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is outfitted with 6 x 533mm torpedo tubes with eighteen reloads of "Black Shark" torpedoes manufactured by Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei. These can be replaced with a stock of SM.39 Exocet anti-ship missiles or up to thirty naval mines as required.
KD Tunku Abdul Rahman arrived in Malaysia during September of 2009 and continues to form a critical, all-modern component of the Malaysian navy.
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