Helis, January 28, 2022 - Weststar Aviation handed over the first two of four AW139 helicopters to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF, Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) at a ceremony held by RMAF Chief Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad at Butterworth airbase.
The helicopters will be leased for at least 4 years as an interim gap measure after the retirement of the S-61 Nuri used by 3 Squadron.
The first pair of AW139s were accepted on December 4 and the last two helicopters are scheduled for delivery at the end of February.
The RMAF's long-term plan is to eventually acquire 24 new helicopters with combat-search and rescue (CSAR) capabilities between 2026-2035.
These helicopters replace the Sikorsky S-61 Nuri, a land based version of the naval Sea King, which entered service in Malaysia in 1967.
Weststar Aviation is the largest operator of AW139 helicopters in Asia starting operations in 2011. One of the global key players in the offshore helicopter industry, to date operates over 30 AW139, AW169 and AW189 out of its bases in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
The helicopters will be leased for at least 4 years as an interim gap measure after the retirement of the S-61 Nuri used by 3 Squadron.
The first pair of AW139s were accepted on December 4 and the last two helicopters are scheduled for delivery at the end of February.
The RMAF's long-term plan is to eventually acquire 24 new helicopters with combat-search and rescue (CSAR) capabilities between 2026-2035.
These helicopters replace the Sikorsky S-61 Nuri, a land based version of the naval Sea King, which entered service in Malaysia in 1967.
Weststar Aviation is the largest operator of AW139 helicopters in Asia starting operations in 2011. One of the global key players in the offshore helicopter industry, to date operates over 30 AW139, AW169 and AW189 out of its bases in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
See also |
AW139 in Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia
AW139 in Weststar Aviation
3.Skn 3 Skuadron Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia Royal Malaysian Air Force