KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's king and government leaders gave a grand welcome Thursday to the country's first submarine, purchased from European shipbuilders to boost the country's naval strength.

The Scorpene submarine, named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman after Malaysia's first prime minister, arrived at a naval base on peninsular Malaysia's west coast after a 54-day voyage from France.

King Mizan Zainal Abidin, Prime Minister Najib Razak and other dignitaries watched the submarine surface at the harbor in a nationally televised ceremony.

Malaysia ordered two diesel-electric Scorpene attack submarines at a cost of 3.4 billion ringgit ($900 million) in 2002. The submarines were built by DCNS of France and Navantia of Spain.

The submarines caused political controversy after opposition leaders claimed that middlemen with close ties to government officials were paid hefty commissions. Najib has denied there was any corruption.

The second submarine is to be delivered to Malaysia next year. Both will be armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

Malaysia has said the submarines will safeguard its maritime interests and help ensure safety in Southeast Asian waters and are not meant to threaten any other country. link