KK Lee 5 Report post Posted October 26, 2008 Malaysia ditches Eurocopters on gloomy economic outlook KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 - Malaysia will ditch the RM2.3 billion Eurocopter defence deal as it battens down to face the global economic storm, sources said today. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri NajibAbdul Razak decided to cut out the EC725 military helicopter contract over the weekend when the government reviewed its expenses in light of falling revenues from crude oil and palm oil and slowing economic growth for the next few years. "The Eurocopter deal is off due to the bleak economic times ahead," a source told The Malaysian Insider.Opposition leaders and critics had savaged the purchase of the dozen EC725 helicopters, saying its RM193 million price tag per aircraft was more than double of Brazil's contract for 50 EC725 helicopters, which came tom RM84 million per aircraft. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it will investigate the deal. Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had earlier said he will investigate claims of irregularities over the purchase of military helicopters after company representing a rival military chopper, the Kazan MI-172, said it offered to sell a dozen helicopters at RM898 million, RM1.5 billion less than the Eurocopter deal. But the Kazan MI-172 is expected to be phased out of production soon although it shares similarities with the current Nuri helicopter fleet, particularly its rear ramp door that is used for troop and materiel transport. Opposition parties had also lodged reports with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) asking for investigations as the tender was allegedly awarded before evaluations were completed and two days before Najib swapped the defence portfolio with Abdullah. The government earlier through a Cabinet meeting on July 18, 2007 had made the decision to acquire new helicopters to replace the Nuri aircraft following a series of crashes for the ageing transport' helicopters in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The Nuri or Sikorsky S-61A-4 came into Malaysian service in 1968. The medium transport aircraft has suffered 18 crashes and killed 95 servicemen and is due to be phased out in 2012. There reportedly only 31 left in RMAF service. However, sources said the Nuris would have been pressed into service with the Army Air Wing if the EC725s arrived on time. The Eurocopter EC725 or Cougar is a medium lift helicopter that is used for combat search and rescue missions. The Cougar, which can carry up to 29 soldiers, beat out the Sikorsky H-92, the AgustaWestland EH-101 Merlin, the Boeing CH-47F and the Russian MI-172 in an open international tender issued at the Langkawi International Maritime and Air Show in December 2007. Sources said Eurocopter won the deal as it also proposed to invest RM250 million to upgrade Malaysia's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capacity in its Subang facility as part of its tender.It has already invested about RM45 million in Malaysia and had plans to spend anotherRM20 million this year to expand its Subang facility as well as MRO facilities in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Apart from the Nuris, the RMAF operates the A109 light utility helicopters and Super Pumas for VIP service. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.p...conomic-outlook Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iwan 3 Report post Posted October 26, 2008 i thought even a slight change to the contract would cost us alot in compensation?were the contracts even signed yet?after all the buzz surrounding the EC-1725,to have it canceled would be an anti-climax..just read an article about it in kosmo yesterday and boy did they have good reviews on the heli..but if we could get the same number of hellis at a cheaper price..then why not?the bomba has been operating the MI-172 for some time right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted October 27, 2008 ..... although it shares similarities with the current Nuri helicopter fleet, particularly its rear ramp door that is used for troop and materiel transport. Revealing, to say the least ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan B. 5 Report post Posted October 27, 2008 This is being reported by NST today. Govt yet to discuss helicopter purchase KUALA LUMPUR, Sun: In the wake of the global economic crisis, the government will have to discuss further whether to go ahead with the purchase of new helicopters to replace the ageing Nuris in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). According to a government source, the discussion will need the involvement of the Defence Ministry and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The source said the procurement of the new helicopters was only at the letter of intent stage (LOI) and no letter of award (LOA) had been made to any party. A posting in the the Malaysian Insider news portal today stated that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had cancelled the purchase of new helicopters for RMAF was not true at all, the source said, adding that a purchase of this nature involved many stages, more so because it involved international tenders. — BERNAMA addthis_pub = 'nstonline'; Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayner 0 Report post Posted October 28, 2008 Ok..its confirm now..the Nuris will be flying again for do not know long will it takes to retire time frame now ..finger crossed nothing bad happen between that time Eurocopter deal deferred By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN KUALA LUMPUR: The purchase of Eurocopter helicopters has been deferred. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the postponement is until the global economy improves. He said the decision was made two weeks ago by the Economic Council. The Eurocopter deal has come under scrutiny after the cost of the purchase was brought to light. Earlier this month, Mentari Services Sdn Bhd chairman Capt (Rtd) Zahar Hashim alleged the tender accepted during Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s tenure as Defence Minister to replace the ageing Nuri helicopters was “too costly.” He claimed the Government could have saved almost RM1.5bil if it had bought the Kazan-M172 helicopters from Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd, a firm he represents. He said the Kazan-M172 met all the specifications required by the armed forces and costs RM898mil while the Cougar EC-725 would cost the Government RM2.3bil. However, Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abu Bakar Abdullah said the decision to procure helicopters from Eurocopter was done following proper procedures and was not influenced by anyone. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...&sec=nation Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Lim 1 Report post Posted October 29, 2008 Cheapest is not always better. I remember reading a news article about how Algeria got supplied second hand MiG-29s by the Russians. Not only once, but twice! In the end, the Algerians sent all the planes back and asked for a refund. I wonder if anyone checked our MiGs to see if they are second hand or not. Personally, I would not go for the M172s just because its cheap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted October 21, 2016 Malaysia S-61 upgrade gathers pace The upgrade will see the antiquated helicopters receive new displays, a new mission computer, and a new search radar. The upgrade will be compatible with night vision goggles. Malaysia had planned to remove its aged Nuri fleet from use by 2012, as 89 personnel have been killed in 15 crashes involving the type since it was introduced. However, with the nation having ordered only 12 of a planned 28 Airbus Helicopters EC725s, Kuala Lumpur was forced to prolong the life of the S-61s. More: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/malaysia-s-61-upgrade-gathers-pace-430604/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
