SHAH ALAM: The Defence Minister DS Khalid Nordin today stated that Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd has been given until October to deliver the four UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters under a leasing contract to the Army Air Wing or Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat.
From the Star:
KOTA TINGGI: The Defence Ministry (Mindef) has given Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd until October to deliver four UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters to the Malaysian Army (TDM).
Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that the helicopter lease contract would be cancelled if the vendor failed to meet this deadline.
“We are giving them until October for delivery. If the Black Hawk helicopters are not delivered by then, the contract will be cancelled,” he told reporters after the opening of My Villa at Dewan Felda Air Tawar 3 on Sunday (Sept 1).
He made this statement in response to a question about Mindef’s actions concerning the delayed delivery of the helicopters.
However, he noted that Mindef has not yet formulated alternative plans if the contract for the four helicopters is cancelled.
“Other plans will be made after the cancellation,” he added.
The last time was around a Black hawk deal went away was also when September ends. Malaysian Defence was the first to write about the issues with the leasing contract.
It is interesting that Khaled said there were no immediate plans to replace the Black Hawks when the contract was cancelled. One wonders if there is truth to talk of a massive leasing deal for helicopters for all the services.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (8)
When Sept ends, then dateline is rolled into Nov... Dec... coz at this stage its a must get it done or else the Ministry & beancounters will be shamed for poorly choosing this vendor.
The mass leasing is interesting, I guess it follows the KTM train leasing deal. But spending millions and not owning any, I wonder if PH Govt is doing a SPANCO for the skies.
If the army can get over their allergies to EDA, then they can literally get all the Americans stuff they could dream off.
They do not have any allergy for EDA stuff unless the politicians say so.
Instead of leasing, PLEASE, to the people that be, in helm of power and financial control of the country, for the sake of the nation and armed forces, just BUY, at least 16 brand new Blackhawks or their equivalents for PUTD. Dont let our armed forces look like they are so cheap and poor, because as a great nation, our standing in the eyes of the world is not that cheap.
On another note, what ever had happened to the planned helicopter production idea with Turkiye in NS Aerospace Valley? Why all silence, any update?
It's been long due that the government should not use middleman when acquiring military assets. Cut out the middleman. But then again, this is the government we're talking about. If they are not competent, they are incompetent.
Mindef dont have plans yet (well at least officially). But I bet the Army might have planned something among themselves if things didn't work out
Buying mix of 2nd hand military Blackhawks and new civie spec S-70i could be one out of a few better options in terms of balance of compromises
how bad is the implication if the govt cancel the contract in the first place? rather than keep giving them time
If the government followed the rules, they will not be in any trouble.