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THE Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) has received the latest addition to its growing fleet, the fourth Darussalam Class Patrol Vessel Daruttaqwa in Germany.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MinDef) yesterday noted that a ceremony was held at the Leurssen Wharf in Lemwerder, Germany, last Friday which saw the signing of the ship’s delivery and acceptance certificate.

The certificate was inked by the Managing Director of Fr Luerssen Werft (FLW), Peter Luerssen, and the Permanent Secretary of Administration and Finance at MinDef, Datin Paduka Hjh Suriyah Hj Umar.

Daruttaqwa is a Patrol Vessel 80 Variat 2 (PV80-V2) measuring 80 metres in length, 13 metres in width and armed with a Marine Light Gun 27mm.

The ship is equipped with a Scanter Surface and Air Search Radar for surveillance.

Similar to her sister ships, Daruttaqwa is featured with a helicopter landing pad that is operational at both day and night.

Another feature is the Stern Launch Rigid Inflatable Craft (RIC), which functions for the interception of fast targets and carrying a boarding team for investigation.

Constructed in July 12, 2012, Daruttaqwa had successfully carried out its harbour trial as well as sea trial and test earlier this year.

Daruttaqwa is scheduled to sail across the North Sea, English Channel, Atlantic Ocean, Straits of Gibraltar, Mediterranean Sea, through the Suez Canal, Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and South China Sea over 46 days.

The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will participate in the US Pacific Fleet-hosted Rim of the Pacific ('RIMPAC') maritime exercise for the first time in 2014.

The biennial event was first held in 1971. In its 24th iteration in 2014, it has grown to be the world's largest international maritime exercise.

'RIMPAC 2014' will involve 23 countries, 47 ships, six submarines, and more than 200 aircraft, with participating forces undertaking various drills, including disaster relief, counter-piracy, and anti-submarine tasks. Also included for the first time are special operations components, as well as the participation of US Navy (USN) hospital ship USNS Mercy .

This is the first time Brunei and People's Republic of China will participate in 'RIMPAC'," US Pacific Fleet spokesman Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Sherrouse told IHS Janes. "'RIMPAC's mission is to foster and sustain co-operative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans and, as with any new participating nation, their participation creates a new opportunity to achieve that mission."

The RBN will deploy two Darussalam (PV 80)-class offshore patrol vessels, KDB Darussalam and KDB Darulaman .

The PLAN is sending a destroyer, a frigate, an oiler, and a hospital ship. A list of participating assets provided by US Pacific Fleet indicates that the frigate will be the Jiangkai II (Type 054A)-class guided-missile frigate, Liuzhou . The Chinese flotilla will be embarking two Z-8 Changhe and Z-9 Haitun helicopters, and a naval diving unit also will be present.

According to Lt Cdr Sherrouse, the PLAN hospital ship, Peace Ark (T-AH 866), will participate in medical exchanges and exercises while the oiler, frigate, and destroyer will join the maritime interdiction operations task force led by the commanding officer of a US Coast Guard cutter, USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751).

'RIMPAC 2014' will take place in and around the Hawaiian Islands from 26 June to 1 August.