Navy needs new helicopters urgently, says armed forces chief

 

The Navy’s six Super Lynx combat helicopters can operate only until 2026, according to the chief of defence forces. (Wikimedia Commons pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The Navy needs new helicopters urgently to replace the 20-year-old Super Lynx which can operate only on a limited basis until 2026, says the chief of defence forces, Mohammad Ab Rahman.

He said the Super Lynx’s functions were limited to surface warfare and anti-submarine torpedo launchers.

The need to replace this maritime combat helicopter is critical,

 Bernama quoted him as saying.

Mohammad said the navy was evaluating several suitable maritime combat helicopter options to replace the Super Lynx, under the anti-submarine warfare helicopter acquisition programme in the 13th Malaysia Plan.

According to defence media reports, the navy has issued requests for proposals for six anti-submarine warfare helicopters to replace the Super Lynx, of which only four are believed to be operational.

Mohammad said 53 navy ships had exceeded their optimal use age in terms of capability, technology and maintenance costs. He said 28 of the vessels were more than 40 years of service age.

The air force’s 24 Nuri helicopters, which have been in service for over 50 years, will be replaced in stages.

He said 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.

The Nuri helicopters have suffered several crashes and emergency landings since 1991, including in Sintok, Kedah (2010), Tawau, Sabah (2016), and Butterworth, Penang (2016). The aircraft were later grounded and its service discontinued. - FMT