AgustaWestland has completed the first delivery to an Asian customer of an A109 light observation helicopter (LOH), with three aircraft now in service with the Malaysian army and a further eight to be delivered during 2006.
The aircraft are operational with the army’s aviation unit at Kluang following a period of intensive flying training for Malaysian army pilots, which was conducted in Italy and Malaysia and included conversion to type training and IFR flight training, as well as training for maintenance personnel.
AgustaWestland is providing spares and logistics support together with DRB-HICOM subsidiary Deftech, with facilities now established in Kuala Lumpur and Kluang.
AgustaWestland was awarded a contract by the Malaysian defence ministry for the supply of 11 A109 LOHs, a variant of the A109 light utility helicopter, together with an initial product support and training package, in late 2003.
Source: Flight Daily News
