New Aircraft and Helos for Police Air Wing

Cessna Caravan 9M-PSQ leaving Sandakan airport early this year. PDRM

SHAH ALAM: The Procurement division of the Home Ministry today (November 8) issued two separate tenders for the supply and delivery of seven twin-engine utility and transport aircraft and five light twin engine helicopters for the police’s Air Wing.

The tenders published in Eperolehan close on December 31, a period of fifty days. The tender for the twin-engine transport aircraft will replace the currently in service, single engine Cessna Caravan 208 and the Pilatus Turbo Porter PC-6. The Caravans has been in service for some 30 to 35 years now. Most if not all of the Turbo Porters have been retired from service nowdays. I stand to be corrected of course.

A Pilatus Turbo Porter tail number 9M-PSE in PDRM colours. She does not look active. PDRM

Based on the specifications, the police AW is looking for aircraft like the Canadian DHC-6 300 or 400 Twin Otter, Cessna SkyCourier and the PTDI N219. A Google search showed the SkyCourier is the cheapest of the three with an average initial cost of US$5.5 million (RM24 million). Add 30 percent markup to the cost, it should be around RM31 million plus change. Of course, one could always inflate the fly-away price higher to make a bigger profit.
Cessna SkyCourier. Cessna

Some of the specifications:

Airframe As specified in the latest standard aircraft configuration by
the manufacturer including the following: 1.1.1. Must be able to support
rapid change (less than three hours) between the following roles: i.
Passenger ii. Cargo iii. Medevac iv. Parajump (static and freefall)
Cargo and passenger door provision
Door opening sufficient to load stretcher
Parajump door provision
Cabin design shall allow for unobstructed easy access and shall be
provided with floor provisions to allow rapid changes in roles
Two (2) bubble windows for surveillance
Controls and Flying Surface As specified in the latest standard aircraft
configuration by the manufacturer
High-wing aircraft configuration
Power Plant As specified in the latest standard twin engine turbine
turboprop configuration by the manufacture.
Aircraft’s Capabilities As specified in the latest standard aircraft
configuration by the manufacturer including the following: 1.10.1. Capability
to land on unpaved runway
Capable to carry minimum of fifteen (15) passengers
Flight range of 550 nautical miles with minimum of two (2) pilots,
one (1) observer and thirteen (13) passengers carrying 10kg of load each
passenger
Cruising speed of more than 200 kts TAS at 10,000 feet
Able to be registered under civil registration with CAAM
. Able to take off on minimum distance of 800 meter of runway
(paved or unpaved) with minimum 10 pax (excluding pilots)

DHC-6 Twin Otter 300.

As for the five twin-engine light helicopters although the documents did not state it these are to replace the Airbus AS355 helicopters in service – for some 30 years now – with the air wing. Apart from the helicopters, the bidder must supply two mission equipment for them. It is likely that the mission equipment would be moved around the fleet as to reduce the cost of the procurement. It is interesting to note that Airbus no longer make twin engine Ecureils nowdays so it is likely that the H135 will be proposed for the tender. Leonardo entry for this should be the AW109 Trekker but as the specifications called for skids, this is unlikely. With some 30 years experience operating skid helicopter for this kind of mission, it is unlikely the Air Wing will want to move to machines fitted with tyres.
PDRM AS355N Ecureuil 2 9M-PHG undergoing final checks before it is return to the service.

It is interesting to note that both helicopters, according to a Google search, cost around US$6 million each. It is probably the reason, they are only buying of five them.

Some of the specifications:

The delivery of the first two (2) helicopters shall be completed within 24 months from the effective date of thecontract signed between the Government of Malaysia and the
successful tenderer. The remaining helicopters must be delivered within
36 months from effective date of the contract. The helicopter will be
operated by pilots from the Royal Malaysia Police Air Operation Force
(RMPAOF). For this purpose the helicopters are to be fitted with the
necessary equipments and configurations for all the roles and functions
of the RMPAOF. Among the roles are surveillance, observation, special
forces missions, SAR, transportation and training
The helicopter shall be twin-engine and turbine powered, factory
new and designed in accordance to the certification standard of
JAR/FAR 27 The helicopter shall conform to the performance category
‘A’ ( clear area and helipad ) at sea level, ISA +20 degree Celcius at
90% of its certified MTOW. The tenderer shall submit proof of
compliance together with other relevant performance. This will include
but not limited to altitude, rate of climb, speed, fuel consumption, range,
maximum gross mass and hover ceiling inside and outside ground effect
(HIGE HOGE) under All Engine Operation (AEO) and One Engine
Inoperative (OEI) condition. *Tenderer shall upload Support Document
of design, specification, performance data, diagram and proof of
compliance of the helicopter in its propose configuration for RMPAOF.
The Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) shall not exceed
3175KG.
1.1.3 The helicopter shall be capable to land at 90% of MTOW and
elevated helipads in city area. The range of the helicopter shall not be
less than 300NM at normal cruise power setting.
1.1.4 The maximum cruising speed shall not be less than 130 knots
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1.1.5 The endurance of the helicopter shall not be less then 03:30 hours
at normal cruise speed.
1.1.6 The helicopter shall be able to accomodate a maximum of eight (8)
persons (2 pilots and 6 passengers
The helicopter shall have small foot print and robust landing skid to
cater for confine area operation.

1.1.10 The helicopter shall be IFR rated with proper instrumentation to
enable either one or two pilot operation. The helicopter should be Night
Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible.
1.1.11 The helicopter shall have good noise discretion with Sound
Efficiency Rating (SER) Category B or better for missions over urban
and densely populated area including covert operation.
1.1.12 The helicopter must have type certification in the passenger
category in any of the following authority: Civil Aviation Authority
Malaysia (CAAM) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
The tenderer shall supply the mission equipments required for
RMPAOF to successfully conduct its operation. The following mission
equipments shall be fitted (including the complete system modification
and accessories) for: i) Two (2) Special Mission Helicopters (SMH) ii) All
helicopters shall be fitted with fixed provision of the special mission
equipment iii) The mission equipments are hoist and Electro Optical
System (EOS) iv) The helicopter must have a valid Supplementary Type
Certificate (STC) and must be approved by either one of the authorities
in para 1.1.12 The tenderer shall be responsible for the registration of
the helicopter and issuance of the certificate of airworthiness from
CAAM
2.2 As specified in the latest standard aircraft configuration by the
helicopter manufacturer including the following for each helicopter: 2.2.1
Fast roping and Repelling system (LH and RH) provision
2.2.2 Fast roping and repelling system (LH and RH) Removable
equipment.
2.2.3 Electric hoist provision for each helicopter with a lifting capability of
at least 500lb (227kg). The tenderer shall specify the type and its lifting
capability.
2.2.4 Two (2) set of electric hoists and its removable part complete with
accessories and preferably shall be fitted with camera system to
facilitate winch operation.
2.2.5 One (1) set of search light shall be supplied for each helicopter.
The search light shall have the following features: 2.2.5.1 Search Light
useful range for target identification minimum of 600 meters. 2.2.5.2
Peak luminance minimum of 32 lux (1 kilometers) and shall be NVG
compatible
2.3 Two (2) set of airborne electro optical system (EOS) to be supplied
for Special Mission Operation. The airborne system shall be equipped
with the following features such as : 2.3.1 EOS Day light imaging with

Two UTK snipers flying with the Airbus AS355 helicopter at a demonstration for the King on February 7, 2022. PDRM

For the full specifications please check Eperolehan. The helicopters are being procured as they are not for utility missions. AFAIK there is no leasing proposals for utility fixed wing aircraft either for the police or the military.

— Malaysian Defence

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23 Comments

  1. 9M-PSE is now mounted as a monument in Ipoh flight training center. Others have been dismantled and kept in Subang.

    Currently there are 6 Cessna Caravans flying. Probably these will still be flown even with the new airplanes.

    As for the possible airplanes, emm not many types can be QC from paradrop to normal use. That is the hard part. As for the skycourier, the cargo door is structural and cannot be opened in flight. So probably those 3 as per Marhalim said, but N219 offered to Congo for USD13.24 mil each ( nearly double than twin otter or skycourier). There is another aircraft from europe that even have a rear ramp, but it costs even more than the N219.

    But what are the odds that someone offers this (which is actually cheaper than the N219 and is after the full rebuild, considered as a new aircraft by FAA) for the tender?
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKVEuDUbYAAjNsd.jpg

    As for the helicopters,

    The AW109 do now come with skids. The trekker is the name for the skid-equipped version, and if not mistaken, can be retrofitted to older AW109 too (Leonardo kit part number 109G0000F01-101)
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZx_bznW0AAW100.jpg

    Others are :
    – Bell 429 globalranger
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F61E9IIaIAAIgC4.jpg
    – Airbus EC135
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7TQ3r4WwAARgWd.jpg

    Basically thats it for a twin engines helicopter with MOTW of less than 3175kg

  2. The police usually uses the Cessna Caravans that is equipped with the special parachute shutter doors for jump training.

    That is what is used during the recent Melaka air show

  3. speaking about Bassler, it’s sad that Viking Air couldn’t replicate their success(?) with their modernized Caribou/Buffalo STOL aircraft.

    I bet they could potentially sell more than CN-235.

  4. A very long shot indeed if somebody enter the tender with a new C-47, to me its too big for PDRM, prefer Twin Otter wins.

  5. Polish government purchased 32 AW149 in 2022 for 1.83b usd(Myr8.03b). Which makes it 50M-60M dollars per unit.

  6. Qamarul – “Which makes it 50M-60M dollars per unit”

    Not necessarily. There will or might be the costs of spares, trainimg and other things.

  7. The contract price for the 32x AW149 for Poland includes

    – Setting up AW149 assembly line in PZL-Swidnik in Poland

    – Weapons integration. The Polish AW149 configuration will also include, among others, observation systems, small arms, guided/unguided rockets and missiles and self-defence systems. The armament, depending on the helicopter variant and configuration, is installed in the cabin or on the helicopter’s external hard points.

    – The logistics package includes a stock of spares and consumable parts, as well as equipment for the ground handling of the helicopters.

    – The training and simulator package includes comprehensive training of pilots and technical personnel and the delivery of a set of advanced simulators and training equipment.

    – Future modernisations and technical support through the entire life cycle of the Polish AW149 fleet.

    https://t.co/1RjDWPlVTa

    All of this at 1/2 the cost of supposed malaysian lease. Is the lease a good value for money when compared to the Polish deal?

  8. hopefully johor sultan can grill the MoD minister and officials about the logic behind leasing 28 helos for such an absurd price

  9. “Is the lease a good value for money when compared to the Polish deal?”

    I would think you’ve made your point by now : every man and his dog knows that a lease option is not a cost effective solution but it is what it is.

  10. Hulubalang-All of this at 1/2 the cost of supposed malaysian lease. Is the lease a good value for money when compared to the Polish deal?

    Now that u put it that way it sounds like not a good deal to lease them even at the end of the contracts there will be an option to buy the helos at RM1. Polish government bought 32 for 1.83b with all the things u wrote sounds like a very good deal. Did them government announce which company will get the contract? Double the amount of money but less 4 helos

  11. ” I would think you’ve made your point by now ”

    I would continue reminding this until either it is dropped for good or the contract is cast in stone.

  12. … – “contract is cast in stone”

    Oh I would think you’d still “continue reminding this” even after the deal is signed and sealed – “cast in stone” as you put it.

  13. One good thing is apparently the Polish AW149 will include a CSAR config variant so if it works, our TUDM will get their CSAR as lease chopper. Whether Leo will be insane to upspec choppers just for lease is another question.

  14. Apart from having a glass cockpit, FLIR, winch and other things which are mostly standard these days; I have no idea what else makes something CSAR configured; apart from a self-defence suite.

  15. @ joe

    “Whether Leo will be insane to upspec choppers just for lease”

    It is more like

    Whether Leonardo will be insane enough to sell highly advanced military spec helicopter to a foreign private commercial entity that will then lease it out to another military, which will be more difficult to diplomatically control rather than selling it directly to another government. Not to mention the risk of losing highly sensitive military tech if that company suddenly goes bankrupt.

    So in all probability, those helicopters will just be civilian spec, that would not be flown into any warlike situations.

  16. … – “to a foreign private commercial entity that will then lease it out to another military”

    This is like the part where you questioned the safety aspects of a proposed leasing arrangment for missiles. The private company might not even be in a position where it has total control or even physical possession without a military presence; irrespective of the fact that it has entered into an agreement to lease the said gear to military.

    When the PTs arrived they were picked up from Klang by a freight forwarding company and delivered. Certain other stuff contacted via private companies are also delivered not to the user initially but to the company. No safety issues at stake. In this case we’re talking about “military grade” helicopters; not tonnes of explosives or ATGWs.

    … – “So in all probability, those helicopters will just be civilian spec”

    Apart from not having radios with frequency hopping and a winch [never mind a self-defence suite which many military operaters lack]; what other things would it lack which makes it “civilian spec”?

    … – ” any warlike situations*

    Granted but depends on what’s laid out in the contract. Not sure about your personal definition of “warlike situation” but it could mean a 64 old man crippled with arthritis and armed with a rifle; could mean a Lahad Dato or Marawi type situation which is not “war” per see ot it could mean flying into an area protected by a IADS. Depends wholly on whats stipulated in the contrsct. Also, if things really got bad the government could just ignore the terms of the contract for the sake of political expediency.

  17. “this case we’re talking about “military grade” helicopters”

    The blackhawk lease floundered due to ownership issues of the helicopter with the US Government.

    You want the same thing to repeat itself?

  18. “apart from a self-defence suite.”
    Afaik this is what separates our Caracals from CSAR. So I guess, yes.

  19. “You want the same thing to repeat itself?”

    Out aside the rhetoric. Did I actually say or imply that I wanted “same thing to repeat itself”?

    “So I guess, yes”

    Which goes back to my point that in actuality there’s very little to differentiate between a military and commercial grade platform.

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