RMAF has received three of the four AW 139 helicopters leased to replace Nuri

RMAF  has received three of the four AW 139 helicopters  leased to replace Nuri

February 10, 2022

Hishammuddin said the acquisition of the AW 139 Helicopter on lease was to further increase the level of readiness and capability of the ATM

BUTTERWORTH: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has received four AW 139 helicopters that will be used in air operations to replace the Sikorsky S-61 Nuri helicopter which was terminated in 2020.

Senior Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the helicopters were leased from a private firm as a short -term measure to replace the Nuri used for the past 50 years in addition to the 12 EC 725 helicopters currently used.


He said, currently, the RMAF has received the three helicopters and will be followed by another next May.

He said the acceptance of the AW 139 helicopter was based on the concept of 'Government Operate, Company Own and Maintain' (GOCOM) from Westar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd.

Hishammuddin said the acquisition of the AW 139 Helicopter on lease was to further increase the level of readiness and capability of the ATM.

"The existence of this AW 139 helicopter will reduce to some extent the use of EC 725 helicopters in training and operations. The reason this AW can be used for other purposes is to relieve the existing EC 725.

"It also aims to maintain the competence of our Nuri helicopter crew which has completed operations previously," he said.

Hishammuddin said this at the AW 139 Aircraft Introductory Ceremony at No. 3 Squadron Butterworth Air Base (PUB), Penang, on Thursday.

Accompanied by Air Force Commander General Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad, he was also taken on board the helicopter for 20 minutes.

RMAF: Nuri helicopter operation ended Commenting further, he explained that under the GOCOM concept, all aircraft maintenance costs will be borne by the company that leases the helicopter.

Commenting further, he said the rental method was more cost -effective compared to the purchase of new helicopters, and even enabled the RMAF to utilize the required assets in a shorter period of time.

However, according to Hishamuddin, apart from rental, the purchase of new helicopters is also in the RMAF's future plans.

Source : Astro Awani.