BUTTERWORTH: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) today received four Leonardo AW139 helicopters which were obtained through leasing in efforts to increase its readiness and enhance its capability.
Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the lease of the helicopters was to meet the needs of the RMAF to strengthen its efforts in defending the country's airspace sovereignty.
He said there were three main reasons for the lease of the helicopters, chief of which was to replace the decommissioned Nuri fleet.
He said the decommissioning of the Nuri fleet has affected the role of 12 units of the EC725AP helicopters in the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) duties as well as Tactical Airlift and Utility.
"Besides that, it is also to ensure aircraft hours, operation cost and maintenance of the EC725AP helicopters to be more effective. Lastly, it is also to maintain the competency of the Nuri fleet crew.
"We believe that this (leasing of the four Leonardo AW139 helicopters) is the most cost-effective measure and I am proud to be able to see it happening.
"I hope this will further boost the spirits of the RMAF and this shows that the ministry is one the right track with the RMAF towards the future," he said when met at the Butterworth air base here today.
Earlier, he was taken on a ride on the Leonardo AW139 helicopter. Present was RMAF chief General Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad.
Hishammuddin also answered numerous allegations with regards to the Leonardo AW139 helicopters, explaining that it was awarded to the company through open tender.
"There are various allegations before this by irresponsible quarters. I see that we need not be in denial and we need not be defensive.
"This is needed by the end user and we see this as the most cost effective and quickest way to do it. All the points are with us, and as a minister, I am proud to see it operational," he added.
During his visit today, Hishammuddin was also taken to the Rumah Keluarga Malaysia Angkatan Tentera (RKMAT) next to the air base.
He said the existing 288 units would be combined into 144 units.
"Of the total, 60 units have been completed through three phases while Phase 4 will begin in the near future.
"It will involve 168 original units which will be combined into 84 units. The block to be upgraded is a class G apartment that houses corporal rank (air) and below.
"This effort is very important because it is close to my heart and has always been my priority as the minister to look into the welfare of the armed forces, especially related to housing.
"Apart from building more new RKMATs, I also ordered the existing RKMATs nationwide be upgraded to improve greater comfort and the safety of their members and family members," he added.
He said the existing RKMAT unit of 850 square feet no longer meets the current qualification of 1,100 square feet.
On a separate matter, Hishammuddin urged private companies involved in the country's defence industry to be more proactive in developing the industry and to table the matter to the ministry in the near future.
"I don't see why we can't mobilise the resources to look for the best way to develop the defence industry, irrespective of who the partners are, whether from Turkey or the United States or such.
"What is important is that all this collaboration will fulfil and provide the needs of the end users," he said, when commenting on the possibility of greater defence collaboration between Malaysia and Turkey following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between local defence company MA Analytics and three defence giant companies from Turkey recently.