PASIR GUDANG: The Defence Ministry will assess the need to obtain new helicopters if the army is unable to lease them, said Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin today.
"The procurement of assets, including helicopter leases, must be conducted meticulously to meet the army's specifications.
"The army must conduct studies and issue invitations to interested parties, if there are helicopters available that meet the specifications.
"I believe this process is ongoing, though helicopters are sometimes unavailable in the market.
"The Black Hawk helicopters were going to be leased for five years and not bought.
"If leasing cannot be done, we may have to consider buying them, which will take longer."
He said this at the Wakalah Zakat handover ceremony at Muhajirin Mosque, Taman Rinting, Masai.
On Nov 6, the ministry submitted a cancellation notice to the company that won the contract to lease four Sikorsky UH-60A+ Black Hawk helicopters to the army.
This follows the final extension of the deal, which expired at the end of October, as the firm failed to meet earlier deadlines.