Capt Baharudin said the figure was outstanding compared to foreign submariners who on average retired at only 3,000 to 4,000 hours.

“We are about to enter our seventh year, there are some who have spent a year of their lifetime underwater.

“One year is 8,800 hours, some of us already have more than 10,000 hours,” he told reporters during a recent exercise in the South China Sea. KD Tun Razak, Malaysia’s second submarine, took part in a combined anti-submarine exercise (Casex) with a French navy frigate.

Baharudin, the first commanding officer of KD Tun Razak, has clocked more than 10,000 hours himself.

Malaysia’s two French-made submarines have been the subject of accusations that both were unfit to dive.

Baharudin said the accusations were “disappointing and uncalled for.”

“We are not into politics, we are not fighting with you, we have nothing to do with whatever stories you have heard, we are just submariners.

“We are trained to take the submarine out and make sure we fulfill whatever missions given to us; it goes back to defending the country’s security, interests and sovereignty,” he told reporters on a media visit.

Contrary to the negative public perception, Baharudin said Malaysian submariners were highly respected by far more experienced submarine operaters.

“The United States holds annual talks with us, every year they want to discuss with us, offer us this and that, while the French are willing to get out of their way to come here for Casex. Every year we meet them (French counterparts).

“They are all impressed by the way we developed our team and what we have accomplished in a short time,” he added.

The first submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, has been stationed at Sepanggar Bay, Sabah, the home port of the submarine force, since September 17, 2009 while KD Tun Razak arrived at Sepanggar Bay on July 15, 2010. She is currently being commanded by its third commanding officer.

– BERNAMA