Leasing of 28 helicopters above board, says defence minister

 

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said he would elaborate further on the leasing arrangement for the AugustaWestland 139 helicopters during the ministry’s winding-up session, scheduled for Feb 20. (Wikipedia pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The defence ministry has defended the government’s decision to lease 28 AugustaWestland 139 helicopters for 15 years for RM16.6 billion.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said the leasing of the helicopters was done in an orderly manner and based on necessity.

Khaled Nordin.

He said he had explained the advantages of the leasing arrangement during his winding-up speech during debate on the 2025 budget.

Khaled said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had also explained the matter in the Dewan Rakyat in November last year.

“Nonetheless, I will elaborate further on this matter and provide additional clarification during the ministry’s winding-up session on the ongoing debate (on the king’s speech), scheduled for Feb 20,” he said in a statement.

Yesterday, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin had questioned the government’s decision to lease the helicopters, saying it would have been cheaper to buy them instead.

Claiming “someone is profiting again”, Hamzah said a direct purchase of the helicopters from the manufacturers would have only cost RM3.954 billion.

He said the air force already used 12 Eurocopter 725 helicopters, which were larger, stronger and better equipped than the AW139.

Using only one type of helicopter would save money on maintenance, Hamzah said.

He also challenged the government to let the Public Accounts Committee probe the helicopter rental deal if Putrajaya “had nothing to hide”. - FMT