COMBAT BOATS FOR ARMY JOINT FORCE

TAWAU (Malaysia), Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The Army Joint Force 2 (ATB 2), charged with safeguarding waters off the East Malaysia state of Sabah's east coast, will receive combat boats and support equipments to upgrade firepower and enhance its defence system.

ATB Commander Lt Gen Allatif Mohd Noor said the boats and equipments were
part of the programme to install the radar surveillance system Initiative 1206,"
he said after launching the radar monitoring system at Bukit Tinagat near
here Friday.

The radar surveillance system Initiative 1206 is the first of nine promised
by the Army to the Sabah government.

"Eight more will be installed in stages at specific locations, including
islands, by December next year," he said.

The radar surveillance system Initiative 1206 was handed over by the United
States government to Malaysia to enhance the capabilities of its armed forces in
protecting the country's sovereignty and security.

Allatif said the radar system was specially designed to conduct surveillance
off the Sabah east coast from Kudat until Tawau.

"The radar operated by ATB2 based at Kukusan Camp near here can detect from
as far as 70 kilometre. When fully operational, it will allow security forces to
act faster and more efficently," he said.
-- BERNAMA