SHAH ALAM:A PDRM Leonardo AW-139 9M-PMD twin-engine helicopter briefly flew into Singapore airspace this morning, says a Singaporean aviation website, prompting the Republic Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to scramble two fully armed F-16 fighters.
PDRM in a press release this afternoon stated that it took notice of the reports on social media that one of its helicopters flew into Singapore airspace, this morning. It stated that the helicopter did fly “near” Singapore airspace as part of its official business. It said that during the flight and until the release was issued (8pm Malaysian time, Sept. 11, 2021), it had not been contacted by the Singapore aviation authorities that it had entered into the republic’s airspace.
From Alert 5.
Singapore scrambled two F-16 fighters armed with AIM-9 and AIM-120s this morning after 9 a.m. when a Royal Malaysia Police helicopter, 9M-PMD, flew over Pulau Tekong. Flight tracking data showed that the helicopter cross into Singapore airspace at 01:22 UTC.
One of the two RSAF F-16s which were scrambled this morning. Alert 5.
The pair of fighters were observed circling over Paya Lebar airbase at a height of approximately 5,000ft. They departed from Paya Lebar airspace and flew west around 02:07 UTC. The fighters were scrambled from Tengah air base.
A screenshot of the 9M-PMD route this morning. Alert 5
Pulau Tekong is home to the Singapore Army’s Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC), whereby males who are conscripted into National Service will undergo basic military training there.
9M-PMD are one of the six AW-139 helicopters purchased by PDRM for its Air Wing unit. One of these helicopters had been written off following a crash in Tawau in early 2020.
The deputy director of the PDRM Public Order and Internal Security division arriving at PGA 9 battalion on Sept. 15. 2020 flying on board 9M-PMD. Note the VIP seats. PDRM
9M-PMD is fitted with VIP seats – for the benefit of the Home Minister, ministry and PDRM officials – though flight tracking data showed it had also been used for routine patrol over the Malacca Strait. Though it appears that the 9M-PMD was indeed flying a VIP when the incident occurred.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (22)
Very embarrassing situation for Malaysia! What the PDRM helicopter got the right to encroach another country's airspace? The pilots and the crews should be warned and given a stern penalty for this incident!
It was MKN General Director visit to Abu Bakar Maritime Base.
https://www.facebook.com/109978751373863/posts/127876389584099/?d=n
If we indeed strayed into Sing airspace we should acknowledge it and apologise - full stop/period. The Sings are so paranoid that even if a remote control aircraft flown by enthusuasts strayed info Sing airspace tgey would probably have scrambled fighters and placed the whole SAF on alert to show "resolve" and that hey are not intimidated. We after all only have nefarious intentions unlike them who are always friendly and responsible neighbours.
What they won't talk about naturally is the many instances where both manned and unmanned platforms have strayed into our airspace, unintentionally and otherwise. Naturally they will say it never happens and will deny everything. Their spin or propaganda machine at times has a certain finesse which ours lacks.
Kamal,
While we're at it why don't we end their careers by imposing a permanent flying ban on them and compel them to go live on T V. to make a public apology to the people of Singapore. In top of that give them 20 hours of community service on the streets of Gelang perhaps?
First ask yourself why ATC at Senai didn't warn them - or there wasn't enough time? If so, how did the error occur given the clear landmarks, including the Straits?
There was a white helicopter at the Subang tarmac (I guess) which I saw duruing a tv news footage just a few hours ago. It was parked alongside another heli in PDRM color.
A helicopter not get warning n they sending 2 F16 with full arm? When they cross over border, I think we don't do that also + both also part of FPDA nation, are we need to face each other in this way?
Based on the chopper flight path skirting past Pulau Tekong, it is very subjective if there was or was not any infringement been done, its not as if there is a line on the sky delineating the airspace border between us. Cheeky for SG to be sounding us when they themselves had been using this ambiguity to intrude into our airspace on multiple occasions.
My guess is, unless SG were to demand an answer or take further actions (request to our ambassador), we'd probably not reply this accusation and just let it fly past. If they did take it seriously, they would probably raise an international stink like what we did to China for their intrusion back in June.
Michael,
So what if we're both FPDA members?
Even within NATO there are members with longstanding issues and here you're talking about the FPDA which is a non binding arrangement. Plus the fact that both countries have a history of tensions, not helped by the ingrained paranoia the Sings have.
Michael - "when the cross over the border, I think we don't do that akso"
Think..
The nearest base with fighters is Buttwerworth and Kuantan. Unless we happen to have fighters on station over Johore there is no way they will be able to intercept anything in the immediate vicinity unless they are able to move at the speed of light.
A RSAF QRA at Tengah can be airborne within minutes and be anywhere over the island in minutes....
Curious to know why these ppl are so gung ho lately; reminded of the "outrage" shown by SGreans on the Para exercise a few weeks ago who perasan the scenario simulated an invasion of SG. Probably the SG gov is looking for a distraction as the Covid infection rates seem raising daily these past few days over there.....