SUBANG JAYA: Top officers from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), police and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) were given a preview of the Airbus Defence and Space C295 maritime surveillance aircraft today.
They had a brief tour of the aircraft at the Subang air base and were taken on a short demostration flight to show off the aircraft's surveillance capabilities.
The aircraft, which is basa developed version of the CN235 military transport aircraft, a number of which are operated by the RMAF, is here on a "world tour" which will see it visit several countries with huge maritime interests.
It flew from Spain, where it was built, stopping in Oman for refuelling before making its first tour stops in Vietnam and Thailand before heading here.
Tomorrow it heads to the Philippines, then Japan and South Korea before continuing its tour in the Americas, with stops in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The aircraft then heads to Brazil where it will begin service in the air force there as a search and rescue aircraft.
Airbus Defence and Space intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance market development head Fernando Ciria said the company had taken the opportunity of going on the world tour as it was delivering the aircraft to Brazil.
First delivered in 2001, the C295 is a successful and versatile aircraft with the longest endurance in its class, he said.
"We are visiting countries with huge maritime interests and need enhanced security, and which eventually want to complement their existing fleet (of maritime surveillance aircraft) or replace their existing fleet.
"This is a versatile platform that can be configured for a number of (maritime) missions, including in support of civilian agencies," he told reporters.
The C295 can be used for surveillance, as a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) or search and rescue (SAR) missions, as is the case for the aircraft which is on the world tour.
The C295 has a ramp in the rear, making it possible for its drew to drop survival gear suring SAR missions. It is fitted with a radar on its belly and a rotodome in front, making it ideal for surveillance.
For MPA and ASW missions, the aircraft can be fitted with underwing stations to allow it to carry weapons.
The RMAF has long been in the market for MPA and maritime surveillance aircraft, though the search, like that of its wish for an airborne early warning and command (AEW&C) system, have taken a backseat in order to concentrate on more urgent matters.
The C295, which can also do AEW&C work, is an option, though there has been no indication that any sort of tender for MPA or AEW&C could be called any time soon.