KUALA LUMPUR: Twelve Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Nuri helicopters have been grounded, RMAF chief Ackbal Abdul Samad said today.
He said the Nuri helicopter service had been discontinued until further notice.
Ackbal said the 50-year-old aircraft was at the tail end of its service and was too costly to maintain.
“Even if the RMAF has the money to buy Nuri maintenance equipment, it can take between nine and 18 months to obtain the spare parts.
“Besides, the RMAF has plans to procure new aircraft to replace the Nuri, but it is still in the evaluation stage,” he told a press conference here.
He said several types of aircraft had been identified to replace the Nuri.
Asked to comment on the allocation for funds for the RMAF, Ackbal said it was at a “comfortable” level and that the air force would continue to optimise the operating capacity of its existing assets.
“Currently, the RMAF prioritises prudent spending and minimises celebratory events that are deemed unnecessary,” he said.
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 latest incident involved a Nuri making an emergency landing at Gubir Camp in Alor Star, Kedah, in August last year.
Ackbal also outlined eight main thrusts to ensure the RMAF remained an effective force, including strengthening its operational capabilities, implementing a capability development plan, and the opening of the new Sendayan air base.
Earlier, the RMAF chief announced the appointment of Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan as his deputy, effective today. - FMT
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