cabatli_53
ELITE MEMBER
![](/styles/default/xenforo/ranks/General.jpg)
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2008
- Messages
- 12,808
- Reaction score
- 62
- Country
- Location
Last Updated: 6:48pm, Apr 14, 2014KUALA LUMPUR (April 14): Will Malaysia sign a deal for the purchase of attack helicopters at this year’s Defence Services Asia?
Following the Sulu militant incursion in February last year, the government has been pondering the acquisition of attack helicopters.
During the incursion, our security forces relied heavily on Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) jets, which were not the ideal platform for counter-insurgency operations.
However, obtaining a sufficient budget for armed helicopters has proven a hurdle to date and so; it will be interesting to see if the procurement is made this time.
At present, there is no indication of numbers and several companies are highlighting their offerings at DSA 2014.
Among the contenders is the Boeing AH-6i or their heavier option, the Apache AH-64E which is believed to be out of the government’s budget.
The Bell AH-1Z and the UH-1Y Venom are also in the running, while the European Airbus EC665 Tiger which is used by the Australian Army is also being considered.
The final contender is the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) T129 which is based on the Agusta Westland A129 Mangusta.
In the meantime, the Malaysian Army Air Corps will continue to rely on their remaining Agusta Westland A109LOH.
While the Defence Ministry is looking to arm the Agustas, three RMAF S-61 Nuri helicopters in East Malaysia are being fitted with .50 calibre door mounted machine guns.
DSA 2014: Attack helicopters on RMAF's shopping list? | FZ : Malaysia News - General, Political, National, Business, World
Following the Sulu militant incursion in February last year, the government has been pondering the acquisition of attack helicopters.
During the incursion, our security forces relied heavily on Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) jets, which were not the ideal platform for counter-insurgency operations.
However, obtaining a sufficient budget for armed helicopters has proven a hurdle to date and so; it will be interesting to see if the procurement is made this time.
At present, there is no indication of numbers and several companies are highlighting their offerings at DSA 2014.
Among the contenders is the Boeing AH-6i or their heavier option, the Apache AH-64E which is believed to be out of the government’s budget.
The Bell AH-1Z and the UH-1Y Venom are also in the running, while the European Airbus EC665 Tiger which is used by the Australian Army is also being considered.
The final contender is the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) T129 which is based on the Agusta Westland A129 Mangusta.
In the meantime, the Malaysian Army Air Corps will continue to rely on their remaining Agusta Westland A109LOH.
While the Defence Ministry is looking to arm the Agustas, three RMAF S-61 Nuri helicopters in East Malaysia are being fitted with .50 calibre door mounted machine guns.
DSA 2014: Attack helicopters on RMAF's shopping list? | FZ : Malaysia News - General, Political, National, Business, World
Last edited: