The Royal Malaysian Navy concluded its Exercise Taming Sari Series 22/2023 on December 16, following the exercise’s post mortem and debriefing.
This year’s edition of the annual missile firing exercise saw the frigate KD Lekiu fire two Exocet MM40 anti-ship cruise missiles at a simulated target during the exercise’s live fire phase on December 14 in the northern Strait of Malacca. Both missiles successfully struck the target. The corvette KD Lekir had been designated as the backup had Lekiu been unable to fire its missiles.
The firing of the Exocets was witnessed by special guest Malaysian Foreign Minister Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Utama Mohamad Hasan, with Mohamad having been the defense minister prior to a cabinet reshuffle announced on December 12.
Other guests present included Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Dato Seri’ Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Army chief General Dato’ Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob, Air Force chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, and Malaysian coast guard chief Laksamana Madya Maritim Datuk Saiful Lizan bin Ibrahim.
KD Lekiu last fired an Exocet during the 2021 edition of the exercise, and had commemorative paintwork for the 2021 launch under one of its Exocet launchers during its presence at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition in May.
The exercise incorporated assets from the Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Coast Guard under the Force Integration Training concept, training together during the at-sea preparation and drill phase that ran from 10 to 13 December. Other Royal Malaysian Navy ships that took part in the exercise include KD Mahawangsa, KD Terengganu, KD Sri Indera Sakti, KD Kedah, KD Mahamiru, KD Jebat, KD Laksamana Hang Nadim, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil, KD Gagah Samudera, KD Perkasa, KTD Penyu, and several fast combat boats.
Aircraft that took part in the exercise include the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Super Lynx and Fennec helicopters, with the Navy’s AW139 Maritime Operation Helicopters joined by the Air Force’s and coast guard’s AW139s. The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s new CN235 maritime patrol aircraft also took part in the exercise alongside the Air Force’s F/A-18D Hornets and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
In a statement issued following the end of the exercise’s live fire phase, the Royal Malaysian Navy said that the exercise demonstrated its ability and credibility to ensure Malaysia’s maritime security. The Navy added that while it was grateful for the government’s support, it needed continued investment in new technologies and platforms to ensure the continued relevance of the Navy’s capabilities, reiterating that the successful missile launches demonstrated the readiness of its assets and the competence of its members.
