SHAH ALAM: The government has decided that RMAF will operate at least twelve Leonardo AW149 utility helicopters under a leasing programme mooted by the Prime Minister’s Department and the National Security Council, Armed Forces chief General TS Mohammad Ab Rahman said today.
He said the leasing programme would go ahead of the procurement of the twelve units of combat search and rescue helicopters announced in the 2024 budget presentation. It must be noted that the AW149 is already a mil spec helicopter but being a lease aircraft it is unlikely that the aircraft could be armed or fitted with mil stuff apart from the ones already installed. Bomba currently operates a single AW189 helicopter – the civilian version of the aircraft – following the crash of another example, last year. The government also procured four AW189 helicopters for the MMEA last year.
“The government has ordered the RMAF to follow a leasing programme for helicopters for ministries and government agencies co-ordinated by the Public-Private Sector Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (JKAS) and National Security Council,” he told reporters after the Armed Forces Day demonstration held at Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan.
He said JKAS has decided that the Leonardo AW149 helicopter was the solution for the leasing programme. The helicopter he added was capable of conducting search and rescue and utility operations.
“The Cabinet will make the final the decision on the concession agreement for the leasing programe soon,” he added. The talk of the government leasing helicopters made its rounds earlier this year when a picture of the proposal letter was published on social media. The number of helicopters to be leased was supposed to be around 20 to 30 for at least eight years.
It is unclear whether the budget allocated for the 12 CSAR helicopters – some RM2.8 billion as revealed by Defence Minister DS Khaled Nordin earlier this year – has instead been shifted to other projects (like LMS Batch 2, announced in the 2023 budget). As you are aware, the payment for leasing will come under the operational budget instead of the development budget (which the 12 CSAR helicopters were supposed to come under).
Meanwhile, Mohammad said the Army is still waiting for the four Black Hawk to be leased from Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd. He said if the company failed to deliver by the end of the month, the contract may be terminated.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (48)
Good. This would reduce the workload on the caracal. They should focus on CSAR while the AW149 could be tasked on general transport
Could it be to supplement the already leasing AW139 in service perhaps?
From FMT
The first phase saw the procurement of 12 units of combat search and rescue helicopters approved in the 2023 budget, while the second phase will involve the purchase of Leonardo AW 149 helicopters under a public-private initiative
https://t.co/8j8gYr1TC9
The plan. Seems TUDM AW149 will be additional to this.
RM16.8 Billion (USD4 billion) for 15 years
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GZIqh2RbkAAkPik.jpg
That is an absolute waste of money for just 28 helicopters.
The Philippines recently (2022) bought 32 brand new S-70i Blackhawks for just USD624 million.
https://t.co/fi0n2V6AZ5
So, where do we find 12 AW149? Weststar do have AW189 but doesn't add up to 12 unit...
So, 12 leased AW149 + 12 brand new CSAR heli (EC 725 perhaps). Ok lah. At least can reduce the load of other helis.
IF you think they will pay to buy another 12 CSAR helicopters after the leasing deal goes through, I have a bridge to sell to you. The leasing deal is clearly meant to nuke any new utility helicopter purchase in the future.
>4 billion over 15 years
>624 million one off procurement that doesn't account for parts and maintenance over 15 years
Even if I don't necessarily agree with how madani gomen do things the way you try to villify them is disingenuous
Something nobody really thought about...
When multiple billion ringgits of OPEX allocation is used to get these helicopters (which has never been done before in this massive scale), that is billions of ringgit less to fuel our ships to patrol the seas, less money for salaries and pensions, less money to fly our fighter jets. This will severely compromise our regular defence mission and operations.
@ dundun
Parts & maintenance for 15 years does not cost USD3.3 billion over 15 years.
This is example for 1 AW139
https://www.aircraftcostcalculator.com/AircraftOperatingCosts/424/Leonardo-Agusta+Westland+AW139
LEONARDO/AGUSTA Westland AW139
Flying 300 Hours per Year
Total Fixed Cost (this if buy with loan)
$831,946.00
Total Variable Cost
$652,800.00
Annual Budget
$1,484,746.00
Total Hourly Cost
$4,949.15
Components of Variable Cost
Fuel Expenses: The highest variable cost, fuel expenses, fluctuate based on flight duration, aircraft type, and fuel prices at the time of refuelling.
Maintenance and Repairs: While some maintenance is periodic, the cost often varies with usage, including wear-and-tear repairs, replacement of parts, and labour costs associated with maintenance activities.
Crew Costs: For operators who adjust crew size based on operational demand, expenses related to salaries, training, and accommodations can vary.
Landing and Handling Fees: Charges incurred for landing, parking, and ground handling services at airports, which can vary depending on the airport and the frequency of operations.
Catering and Onboard Services: Costs associated with providing food, beverages, and other amenities to passengers, which can vary with each flight based on client requests and the length of the journey.
For simplicity sake, i will just assume ALL of variable cost is the maintenance and sustainment cost.
1 heli - USD650k x 28 helicopters x 15 years = USD273 million
So maintenance at most is USD273 million, not USD3.3 billion.
So at most for 28 medium lift helicopters, buying and 15 year maintenance & sustainment cost will not be more than USD 1 billion. That helicopters will be yours forever, unlike leasing.
What can we actually buy with the USD 3 billion saved????
Our 2 Scorpenes + Ouessant training sub + submarine facilities in Sepanggar costs USD1.1 billion. If only subs, surely we can have them for USD500 mil each.
4 scorpenes only (no need to build facilities) can be had for USD2 billion.
4 batteries of MERAD could easily be bought for USD500 million. Thailand bought 1 battery of VL MICA for USD110 million.
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/thai-army-unveils-vl-mica-air-defence-system/
4 batteries of shore-based NSM missiles with 200km range for precision strike of both ground and ship targets + extra NSM missiles could be had for USD500 million. Latvia bought 1 battery of NSM for USD110 million
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/05/05/latvian-government-approves-110-million-naval-strike-missile-buy/
So for the cost of leasing of 28 helicopters for 15 years, we could actually buy those 28 helicopters outright, buy 4 scorpene submarines, buy 4 batteries of MERAD and buy 4 batteries of NSM coastal defence. This would greatly enhance the defence capability of our military, unlike just leasing helicopters.
And you think i am vilifying them?????
Another thing to ponder
The price of a brand spanking new AW189 is about USD20mil.
The leasing cost USD4 billion for 28 helicopters. That comes out to USD142 million per helicopter over 15 years.
Even if you just buy a totally brand new AW189 every 3 years "pakai buang" no need to service, it would just cost you USD100 million over 15 years.
So where is the logic of this leasing program?
Another hit for CAP55 plan