Andrzej Jeziorski/LANGKAWI
Malaysian aerospace companies have signed a string of co-operative contracts as the economically recovering country pushes to develop its aerospace industry.
Component manufacturing contracts and a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules upgrade deal were signed at Malaysia's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 99), which took place from 1-5 December. The contract signing was attended by newly re-elected premier Mahathir Mohamed, who is pushing to develop the local aerospace industry as part of a plan to establish Malaysia as a fully industrialised nation by 2020.
The deals included the Malaysian defence ministry signing a C-130H upgrade contract with maintenance specialist Airod. The first phase will involve a 4.6m (15ft) fuselage stretch of the aircraft, increasing cargo volume by 33%, as well as initial avionics upgrades on three of the air force's 14 aircraft. The first is scheduled for re-delivery in January 2001.
Lockheed Martin will provide technical assistance, and the work could result in Airod becoming an authorised modification centre. The avionics upgrade will make the C-130 fleet compatible with global air traffic management standards.
A second upgrade phase is expected to include conversion of transports to air-to-air refuelling tankers. Two of the air force's C-130s serve in this role.
Malaysia's SME Aerospace, meanwhile, has signed a contract with Alenia to manufacture forward lower lobe assemblies for the Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport System C-27J transport (above). Alenia is marketing the aircraft to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
SME also signed deals with BAE Systems and ShinMaywa Aircraft Engineering for commercial aircraft components. BAE signed for Nimrod 2000 component manufacture with Malacca-based CTRM subsidiary Excelnet.
Source: Flight International
