Malaysian Ministry of Defence, July 07, 2022 - Sabah - The efforts of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in maintaining the security of Sabah continue to be strengthened through the purchase of three AW139 Helicopters.
It is the latest asset of the RMN which was purchased specifically to enhance the operational capability of the RMN, especially in preserving the security and sovereignty of the state of Sabah.
On July 1, Senior Minister of Defense, YB Dato Seri Hishammuddin Hussein witnessed the handover of two AW139 Helicopters while another is expected to arrive in September.
At the same time, the Senior Minister of Defense also officiated the establishment of a new squadron, Squadron 503 at the Kota Kinabalu Air Station.
The AW139 helicopter serves as an airspace controller in the maritime waters of Sabah and Sarawak. Apart from enabling patrols for maritime enforcement purposes to be carried out as often as possible with existing assets as well as increasing the strength of the RMN inventory in the Eastern Fleet.
In line with the acceptance of the AW139 Helicopter, Squadron 503, was established to monitor the Malaysian Maritime Zone as well as Maritime Domain Awareness, Over the Horizon Targeting, Special Forces Operations and air crew training.
Several missions will be carried out by this squadron including Search and Rescue Operations, Medical Evacuation (Medevac), Casualties Evacuation (Casevac) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions.
The Senior Minister of Defense also emphasized in his statement, efforts to preserve Sabah's sovereignty and security have always been redoubled and implemented comprehensively. Not only limited to the RMN, but also the Malaysian Army (RMAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
It is the latest asset of the RMN which was purchased specifically to enhance the operational capability of the RMN, especially in preserving the security and sovereignty of the state of Sabah.
On July 1, Senior Minister of Defense, YB Dato Seri Hishammuddin Hussein witnessed the handover of two AW139 Helicopters while another is expected to arrive in September.
At the same time, the Senior Minister of Defense also officiated the establishment of a new squadron, Squadron 503 at the Kota Kinabalu Air Station.
The AW139 helicopter serves as an airspace controller in the maritime waters of Sabah and Sarawak. Apart from enabling patrols for maritime enforcement purposes to be carried out as often as possible with existing assets as well as increasing the strength of the RMN inventory in the Eastern Fleet.
In line with the acceptance of the AW139 Helicopter, Squadron 503, was established to monitor the Malaysian Maritime Zone as well as Maritime Domain Awareness, Over the Horizon Targeting, Special Forces Operations and air crew training.
Several missions will be carried out by this squadron including Search and Rescue Operations, Medical Evacuation (Medevac), Casualties Evacuation (Casevac) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions.
The Senior Minister of Defense also emphasized in his statement, efforts to preserve Sabah's sovereignty and security have always been redoubled and implemented comprehensively. Not only limited to the RMN, but also the Malaysian Army (RMAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
AW139 helicopter acceptance
503 Squadron establishment
Kota Kinabalu See also |
AW139 in
Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia 503 skuadron Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia Royal Malaysian Navy 
