RMAF’s two new copters arrive

PETALING JAYA: DESPITE the prudent defence budget, the rejuvenation of the air force’s assets is long overdue, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Featured Photo: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi taking a closer look at the EC725 at Subang Skypark yesterday. Pic by Effendy Rashid

UP-TO-DATE: They are part of 12 Eurocopters ordered from France

Zahid was on hand yesterday to receive the first two of 12 Eurocopter EC725 tactical transport helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force at the Subang Skypark.

This marked the beginning of a new phase of new-generation helicopters for the RMAF, which would be used for combat search and rescue missions.

The two helicopters had arrived in Subang onboard an Antonov An-124 Ruslan cargo aeroplane from Marignanc, France, last Friday.

Zahid said the acquisition of the EC725 would improve the RMAF’s capabilities and ensured its helicopter inventory was modern, mission-ready and reliable.

“The deal has brought 13 comprehensive cooperation projects to strengthen Malaysia’s strategic aeronautical skills and capabilities via education at universities.”

He said the remaining 10 EC725 would be delivered in stages by 2014.

Eurocopter Malaysia has teamed up with Boustead Heavy Industry Corporation to establish a regional simulator centre for the EC225/725 in Subang, along with a maintenance, repair and overhaul centre for commercial and military aircraft.

“This facility will make Malaysia a training hub for pilots and crew of the two types of helicopters in the Asia-Pacific region.”

He also said that Eurocopter had awarded Composite Technology Research Malaysia the manufacturing of EC130 components, including the helicopter’s fenestron, and collaboration to develop helicopter system integration competencies.

Zahid added that such collaboration had resulted in a RM5 billion total investment in Malaysia’s defence industry by international and local companies.

It is learnt that the RMAF requires up to 30 EC725 as part of its fleet-modernisation programme to replace the aging 20-odd Sikorsky S-61 Nuri, the first of which was bought in 1968.

Unlike the all-weather EC725, the Nuri has limited avionics enabling it to fly only during clear weather.
The RMAF will operate the first two EC725 from its Kuantan base to train pilots and crew, pending the arrival of the 10 helicopters.

The EC725 proved its mettle with the French Air Force during Operation Baliste to evacuate war victims from Lebanon in 2006 and in supporting coalition forces in the Afghanistan war from 2007.

Malaysia is among seven countries operating or having ordered the EC725. The others are France, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand.



Source Eurocopter Malaysia

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Eurocopter delivers the first two Royal Malaysian Air Force EC725s

Eurocopter delivers the first two Royal Malaysian Air Force EC725s from an order for 12 medium-lift, twin-engine helicopters.

The initial two Eurocopter EC725 helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force were formally presented today during a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, with the first unit being delivered on time and the second unit coming three months ahead of schedule.

Malaysia is to receive a total of 12 EC725s through 2014, creating a highly capable fleet of rotorcraft for search & rescue and utility missions.

“Our EC725s will significantly improve the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s capabilities and ensure its helicopter inventory is modern, mission-ready and reliable,” said Defense Minister Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The no. 1 EC725 was first unveiled to Malaysia in December 2011 via a live video broadcast from Eurocopter’s Marignane, France headquarters – organized just after its rollout from the production line. It was beamed to Malaysia’s Langkawi Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition, for an audience that included Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. One year later, the first helicopter arrived in Malaysia on schedule, along with Eurocopter’s handover of the second EC725 three months in advance of the contractual delivery schedule.

“This delivery milestone is the result of the collective effort and great co-operation between the teams from Royal Malaysian Air Force and Eurocopter working towards a common goal,” highlighted Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations. “We are committed to ensure the successful delivery of the remaining orders, and stand ready to provide for all of Malaysia’s future mission needs.”

In supporting the deliveries of Malaysia’s EC725s and enhancing Eurocopter’s in-country support and services activities, the Eurocopter Malaysia subsidiary will double its capabilities by moving from its main facility in Subang to a new, expanded site within the Malaysian International Aerospace Center in early 2013.

Additionally, Eurocopter is executing a series of strategic cooperation projects that will include the participation of local industry in ensuring full support for this important delivery and the expansion of Malaysia’s helicopter market. This includes the integration of the country’s industry into its global supply chain, the creation of joint ventures with local companies to establish an in-country MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility, as well as the development of a regional full-flight simulation center. The full-flight simulation center will be used for training Royal Malaysian Air Force crews and made available for other military and civilian operators of the medium-lift EC725/EC225 helicopter family in the Asia Pacific region.

All of these cooperative projects are aligned with Malaysia’s vision and objective in strengthening Malaysian strategic aeronautical skills and capabilities through strategic partnerships, which also include specific attention in education through the development of aeronautical training capabilities in association with Malaysian Universities.

“Meeting excellence in our delivery and industrial promises for Malaysia is a top priority for Eurocopter,” explained Pierre Rossignol, President and CEO of the Eurocopter Malaysia subsidiary. “As promised ten years ago, we continue our journey towards expansion and look forward to more decades of growth and excellence in the new facility, ensuring full support to all our Malaysian customers while creating new jobs and contributing to the local economy.”

By Rob Vogelaar Source and photo: Eurocopter Malaysia

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Britain Offers Malaysia RM10bil Arms Package

The British government has offered Malaysia an arms package which can be worth more than RM10 billion if all options are exercised. The proposed package includes new Hawk jet trainers, advanced frigates, howitzers and future soldier systems for the army, industry sources told theSun.








Separately, the British government is also backing the offer by BAE Systems to sell 18 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) requirement.

The sources said they do not expect any deal to be signed soon as the offer needs to be studied in detail.

In 1988, the British government under the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher presented a similar package to Malaysia, resulting in the procurement of Hawk trainers and frigates worth some RM4.9 billion in 1992.

According to sources, the current offer has been made as Britain seeks to boost its defence exports amid severe cutbacks in military spending by the United States and Europe.

Furthermore, without a government-to-government deal, British companies are facing difficulties when promoting their arms to Malaysia, the sources said.

For example, due to a company-mandated anti-bribery policy, BAE Systems is not working with any local agent to market the Typhoon.

"They faced a severe handicap as their competitors, such as the French Rafale and Swedish Gripen, are being promoted by their local agents. BAE Systems has to rely on its own company officials," one source told theSun.

The source said it is therefore imperative for the British government to step in to back the Typhoon deal although separate from the arms package.

BAE Systems, one of the world's biggest defence companies, also manufactured the Hawk trainers, howitzers and frigates.

"If the Malaysian government accepts the arms package, BAE Systems will be the main beneficiary of the deal," the source added.

On Oct 29, BAE Systems chief executive Ian King and a delegation were in Malaysia to discuss the company's bid for the MRCA programme. The highlight of the visit was a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in Putrajaya.

Apart from Najib, King and the delegation also met Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

Industry sources told theSun King was told the government would use the normal procurement process. King's visit came a month after theSun reported on Sept 24 that Swedish defence and aerospace company, SAAB, had offered a lease-buy option for its Gripen fighter jet for the MRCA programme.

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