THE Malaysian Royal Navy (RMN) vessel, KD Lekiu continued its role in conducting defence diplomatic activities through its participation in the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) – India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2023.

The Navy said in a statement today that the vessel’s participation was in line with AIME’s objective, where defence partnerships and joint operational activities between Asean countries and India are used to address maritime threats in the region.

“The exercise allowed Naval personnel to interact and update their knowledge with participants from other countries and boost their competencies via field training exercises based on the concept of maritime security,” the statement read. 

KD Lekiu’s participation also reinforced the Navy’s role as Malaysia’s ambassadors in promoting defence diplomacy, in addition to strengthening regional cooperation.

AIME 2023, which took place at Changi Naval Base, Singapore and the South China Sea from May 2 and ended yesterday, was jointly organised by the Singaporean and the Indian navies and coincided with the organisation of the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) by Singapore from May 3 to 5.

The multilateral exercise was the first held and was the result of the 16th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on June 22 last year. – Bernama, May 9, 2023.