The Royal Brunei Armed Forces recorded another significant milestone in its history with the official acceptance of the final DARUSSALAM Class Patrol Vessels, namely KDB DARULAMAN. KDB DARULAMAN is the last of the DARUSSALAM class, which have been commissioned to Luerssen Shipyard by the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. The Steel Cutting and Keel Laying was initiated on 26 June 2009 and 12 Nov 2009 respectively and was launched in 6 January 2011.
Today marked another significant step in the history of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces with another milestone achieved for the DARUSSALAM Class. KDB DARULAMAN, was accepted and the handing over and flag raising ceremony took place at Luerssen Shipyard, Germany. Accepting on behalf of the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat. The ship has successfully carried out its Harbour and Sea Acceptance Trials and the crews are at their final stage of training before DARULAMAN is expected to start their maiden voyage back to Brunei in October and expected to arrive in December this year. The ship will be fully manned by officers and men of the Royal Brunei Navy.
KDB DARULAMAN will complement the current naval assets that are already in service in the Royal Brunei Navy in maintaining the nation’s maritime sovereignty and territorial integrity. The assets will also support the efforts in keeping peace and stability in the region.
[mappress]
Source: mindef, August 12, 2011.