Budget constraints are forcing Malaysia to further delay replacement of the air force's Sikorsky S-61 fleet and acquisition of new army helicopters.
The air force wants to purchase 27 helicopters in Malaysia's new five-year budget plan, which begins in January 2006 and runs until 2010. But industry sources say the government is expected to approve the purchase of only about 10 new helicopters in combat search and rescue (CSAR) configuration, and the S-61s used for utility missions will not be replaced until 2011 at the earliest.
The air force has received information on the AgustaWestland EH101, Eurocopter EC725, NH Industries NH90 and Sikorsky S-92. The service plans to acquire one type that can be used for CSAR, commercial SAR and transport missions. The CSAR portion of the requirement is most urgent because the S-61s are restricted to daytime operations.
The Malaysian government is also expected to reject an army request to fund 12 tactical utility helicopters in the Sikorsky UH-60 size category. The army may instead take some of the S-61s to be phased out by the air force.
The army was also looking at acquiring training helicopters, but has decided instead to hire a private contractor to train its pilots.
There are limited funds available in the five-year budget for new acquisitions because deals signed in 2003, including the purchase of 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKs, committed most of the funds available from 2006 to 2010. Airborne early warning aircraft are considered the highest priority and are likely to be the only major item in the budget. But other proposed procurements such as the Airbus Military A400M transport and Boeing F/A-18F could still be pursued for political reasons, using funds outside the normal defence budget.
A Northrop F-5 upgrade programme may also still go forward because it could be funded from operations and maintenance rather than new acquisition funds. Industry sources say the government has decided to sell at least half of the 14-aircraft fleet, but is still considering upgrading two F-5RFs and five F-5E/Fs.
Local aircraft maintenance and modification firm Airod last year signed Caledonian Airborne Systems, Northrop Grumman, Smiths Aerospace and Thales as subcontractors for the proposed programme. Airod has since been trying to persuade the government to upgrade its F-5 fleet.
BRENDAN SOBIE/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
