SHAH ALAM: Back in 2015, Malaysian Defence posted that the armed forces was not getting the four Black Hawk helicopters that were to be gifted by Brunei. The cost of maintaining the helicopters was likely the main reason the government in the end decided not to take up the offer.
Likely, as no one will say outloud why the government opted out as the cost of the helicopters – to be paid to Brunei – was only RM58 million. Initial reports which stated that the helicopters were to be gifted free of charge was erroneous. The red paint denotes that the Portugal Air Force Black Hawks will be used for fire-fighting. PAF.
So, what this have to do with anything, then? Remember the four Black Hawk helicopters that we are leasing for the Army Air Wing (PUTD)? Two of the helicopters were supposed to be delivered last month but it did not happen. And now I am hearing strong head winds against them.
I have been told of the travails but for reasons cannot say it loud here. And the forecast is a strong gale wind ahead. With Army Day coming within 35 days (March 1) we may get the answer soon. Five Philippine Air Force Sikorsky S-70i Blackhawk helicopters delivered in December, 2021. PAF
It is interesting to note that three PUTD pilots had successfully conducted simulator training on the Black Hawk last month in Turkiye. The release was published by Berita Tentera Darat on December 29, 2023.
From BTDM:
PUTD JALANI LATIHAN SIMULATOR HELIKOPTER SIKORSKY UH-60A BLACKHAWK
TURKIYE: Seramai tiga Juruterbang Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (PUTD) menjadi kumpulan pertama menjalani Latihan Simulator Helikopter Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk di Havelsan Simulator Training Centre pada 16 Dis 2023.
Latihan kajian bawah dan latihan penerbangan simulator helikopter Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk ni telah dilaksanakan sebagai persediaan kepada Juruterbang Tim Nukleus Rejimen 882 PUTD bagi persiapan penerimaan pesawat baru.
Latihan ini telah dilaksanakan selama dua minggu melibatkan latihan kajian bawah helikopter dan latihan penerbangan simulator helikopter Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk dimana sebanyak dua buah Simulator S-70 disediakan bagi tujuan latihan simulator penerbangan.
Simulator S-70 ini memenuhi pengiktirafan Cerifiication Specification for Flight Simulator Training Device (CS-FSTD) Level-D Full Mission Simulators. Simulator ini dilengkapi sistem motion dan vibration bagi tujuan latihan simulator yang realistik.
Sistem simulator ini juga mempunyai stesen kawalan dalaman, iaitu Instructor Operation Station (IOS) yang terletak di bahagian belakang kokpit bagi membolehkan Jurulatih Penerbangan mengawal selia aturan dan bentuk latihan yang dikehendaki.
Sistem simulator di Havelsan Simulator Training Centre juga mampu melaksanakan latihan integrasi bersama beberapa buah pesawat dan dilengkapi Exercise Control Center bagi tujuan pemantauan dan pengurusan senario. Kokpit simulator ini adalah dilengkap 4 buah Multi Function Display (MFD) yang mampu memaparkan Primary Flight Display (PFD), Navigation Display (ND) dan Engine Instrument Crew Alerting System (EICAS). Simulator ini juga dilengkapi sistem Flight Director merangkumi Automatic Flight Control Computer (AFCC) dan Flight Director (FD).
Peserta telah diperuntukkan dengan 30 jam latihan simulator yang dilaksanakan selama tiga jam setiap hari dan pencapaiannya mencapai 100 peratus daripada jam yang diperuntukan.
– Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat A US Army Blackhawk helicopter flies during Eks Keris Strike which comes under Exercise Bersama Warrior in 2017. US Army
So we are back to we rather have nothing, than leasing two ex-Bruneian hawks
Beli baru jela just like pinoy. If that is considered an expensive option than go for brand new Bell 412, which has lower under sling capacity but still able to carry the 105mm cannon. If that also cannot afford maybe the upgraded s61T which is being auctioned by the US state dept as cheap as USd500k each can be considered???
FYI the 4x Blackhawks is still in service with RBAF 14 Squadron.
So what is the issue now? Is it because of the helicopter itself? Or is it because of the realization of the absurd cost of the 5-year leasing deal, which is RM10.15 million more expensive for each helicopter compared to buying them outright like Portuguese air force does?
The contract has been signed and sealed, so i cannot see any possibility of PUTD/KEMENTAH pulling out of the deal with no consequences. Unless the delay/problem is from the lessor side.
If it is really because of the leasing cost, nothing can be done actually. It is the PUTD/KEMENTAH problem/wrongdoing as they decide to accept the expensive lease deal without checking/comparing/due diligence to the cost of buying them outright.
What can be done is to now start looking at buying Blackhawks outright, at the benchmark cost of Portuguese Air Force Blackhawk deal so that PUTD could receive them before the 5 year lease of those blackhawks expire.
As for buying anything new instead, I am against it, because anything new right now will be obsolete in less than a decade, as advanced designs such as V-280 Valor is going to replace Blackhawks starting 2030. https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/us-army-chooses-bell-v-280-valor
Those S-61T auction has long gone. All sold already.
Buying anything new now will mean having to use it 40-50 years into the future. Something like the blackhawk is 1970s technology. The future is something like the V-280 Valor. US Army will start replacing Blackhawks with V-280 Valor by 2030. Buy used Blackhawks now, use for 15-20 years and replace with new V-280 in 2040.
"The cost of maintaining... decided not to take up the offer."
So if it werent the unit cost (for used as new is also not exactly cheap), are they balking the cost of maintenance because it is aged or because its inherent of the Blackhawk platform itself?
And if its related to the 4 lease Blackhawks im even more perplexed as usually a leasing deal would cover the aspects & cost of maintenance too, the rentee (TDM) just needs to pay the stated amount in the contract according to the lease duration.
This TDM chopper program, just like their SPH program, is really cursed. And if this program is scuppered then what alternatives can TDM seek? We know PUTD has just under RM 200mil to work with (the lease sum) which is not a lot BUT DOABLE(!) if PUTD able to grab some of the retired US Army Lima Blackhawks (unless maint cost crops up) or some other model which might be cheaper (in this case why they chosen Blackhawks for the leasing then)?
OR perhaps that budget is also gone??? Something is seriously wrong if even a low value lease deal could go FUBAR.
For the Brunei Black Hawks, it is likely the maintenance cost as I was told that they use the cost of maintaining the VIP Blackhawks as a benchmark. Bad idea really as the cost of the VIP Blackhawk maintenance was high.
If Army wanted aviation, they will find a way. If they dont prioritise aviation or place armoured vehicles above all else, any spare money will be used for more land vehicles, including sacrificing aviation. If they or some in the Army dont prioritise aviation, they will or may find a way to kill the request like using VIP Blackhawk maintenance cost instead of asking around. Might need to wait for the right "faction" or leadership to be in place for Army to move aviation up the list of priorities.
It will never be unfortunately.
To be fair the gov seem eager to standardise equipment amongst services to have some sort of economics of scale. While most services get the hints and choose aw139. PUTD doesn't seem to get the hints. Or they get the hints but decided to push their luck anyways.
There ia no CAPEX atau bajet pembangunan to buy. Only OPEX for the retired Nuris. Since it was approved and the tender awarded, why suddenly the cold feet?
@Kel
"If Army wanted aviation, they will find a way."
Its prolly because TUDM are penned to get a dozen choppers that TDM are hoping to continue relying on TUDM doing the donkey job of lifting the army, which might be the reason why PUTD is getting the short shrift, even for this lease deal. After all, if you can get somebody to do your dirty job using their own money why do it yourself.
TUDM might or might not welcome to take back that role of hauling the army as it will eat into primary budget thats meant for new fighters and whatnot, but it does mean them getting more equipment & resources so its a double edged sword.
The real loser is PUTD, no manpower, no budget, no new choppers, not even lease ones. If that is how PUTD is spiralling downwards, better for TDM to close down that arm and let it absorbed by TUDM, give them more resources for cybersecurity & cyberwarfare ao as to sooth their "loss".
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So we are back to we rather have nothing, than leasing two ex-Bruneian hawks
Beli baru jela just like pinoy. If that is considered an expensive option than go for brand new Bell 412, which has lower under sling capacity but still able to carry the 105mm cannon. If that also cannot afford maybe the upgraded s61T which is being auctioned by the US state dept as cheap as USd500k each can be considered???
FYI the 4x Blackhawks is still in service with RBAF 14 Squadron.
So what is the issue now? Is it because of the helicopter itself? Or is it because of the realization of the absurd cost of the 5-year leasing deal, which is RM10.15 million more expensive for each helicopter compared to buying them outright like Portuguese air force does?
The contract has been signed and sealed, so i cannot see any possibility of PUTD/KEMENTAH pulling out of the deal with no consequences. Unless the delay/problem is from the lessor side.
If it is really because of the leasing cost, nothing can be done actually. It is the PUTD/KEMENTAH problem/wrongdoing as they decide to accept the expensive lease deal without checking/comparing/due diligence to the cost of buying them outright.
What can be done is to now start looking at buying Blackhawks outright, at the benchmark cost of Portuguese Air Force Blackhawk deal so that PUTD could receive them before the 5 year lease of those blackhawks expire.
As for buying anything new instead, I am against it, because anything new right now will be obsolete in less than a decade, as advanced designs such as V-280 Valor is going to replace Blackhawks starting 2030.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/us-army-chooses-bell-v-280-valor
So more delays or the contract got cancel?
Blackhawk cost comparison
- PUTD 5-year lease
RM187 million for 4 helicopters. RM46.75 million each.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/lima-2023-contracts-army/
- Portuguese Air Force outright buy of used Blackhawks
RM219.7 million for 6 helicopters. RM36.6 million each
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/portuguese-af-fire-fighting-black-hawks/
- Philippines Air Force buy of new S-70i Blackhawks
RM2.6 billion for 32 helicopters. RM81.25 million each.
https://www.malaysiandefence.com/the-joneses-more-blackhawks-for-the-philippines/
@ Kamal A
Those S-61T auction has long gone. All sold already.
Buying anything new now will mean having to use it 40-50 years into the future. Something like the blackhawk is 1970s technology. The future is something like the V-280 Valor. US Army will start replacing Blackhawks with V-280 Valor by 2030. Buy used Blackhawks now, use for 15-20 years and replace with new V-280 in 2040.
"The cost of maintaining... decided not to take up the offer."
So if it werent the unit cost (for used as new is also not exactly cheap), are they balking the cost of maintenance because it is aged or because its inherent of the Blackhawk platform itself?
And if its related to the 4 lease Blackhawks im even more perplexed as usually a leasing deal would cover the aspects & cost of maintenance too, the rentee (TDM) just needs to pay the stated amount in the contract according to the lease duration.
This TDM chopper program, just like their SPH program, is really cursed. And if this program is scuppered then what alternatives can TDM seek? We know PUTD has just under RM 200mil to work with (the lease sum) which is not a lot BUT DOABLE(!) if PUTD able to grab some of the retired US Army Lima Blackhawks (unless maint cost crops up) or some other model which might be cheaper (in this case why they chosen Blackhawks for the leasing then)?
OR perhaps that budget is also gone??? Something is seriously wrong if even a low value lease deal could go FUBAR.
For the Brunei Black Hawks, it is likely the maintenance cost as I was told that they use the cost of maintaining the VIP Blackhawks as a benchmark. Bad idea really as the cost of the VIP Blackhawk maintenance was high.
If Army wanted aviation, they will find a way. If they dont prioritise aviation or place armoured vehicles above all else, any spare money will be used for more land vehicles, including sacrificing aviation. If they or some in the Army dont prioritise aviation, they will or may find a way to kill the request like using VIP Blackhawk maintenance cost instead of asking around. Might need to wait for the right "faction" or leadership to be in place for Army to move aviation up the list of priorities.
It will never be unfortunately.
To be fair the gov seem eager to standardise equipment amongst services to have some sort of economics of scale. While most services get the hints and choose aw139. PUTD doesn't seem to get the hints. Or they get the hints but decided to push their luck anyways.
There ia no CAPEX atau bajet pembangunan to buy. Only OPEX for the retired Nuris. Since it was approved and the tender awarded, why suddenly the cold feet?
@Kel
"If Army wanted aviation, they will find a way."
Its prolly because TUDM are penned to get a dozen choppers that TDM are hoping to continue relying on TUDM doing the donkey job of lifting the army, which might be the reason why PUTD is getting the short shrift, even for this lease deal. After all, if you can get somebody to do your dirty job using their own money why do it yourself.
TUDM might or might not welcome to take back that role of hauling the army as it will eat into primary budget thats meant for new fighters and whatnot, but it does mean them getting more equipment & resources so its a double edged sword.
The real loser is PUTD, no manpower, no budget, no new choppers, not even lease ones. If that is how PUTD is spiralling downwards, better for TDM to close down that arm and let it absorbed by TUDM, give them more resources for cybersecurity & cyberwarfare ao as to sooth their "loss".