Mindef to review Black Hawk copter lease agreement - Khaled

The Defence Ministry will review the lease agreements for four Black Hawk helicopters before deciding whether to cancel the contracts.

Its minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said there are considerations to be made with regard to the termination of the agreements or giving the supplier more time.

“We need to consider whether there will be any fines imposed due to delays in orders delivery, or termination of the contract,” Khaled said as quoted by Berita Harian.

This follows a delay in delivering four Sikorsky UH-60A+ Black Hawk aircraft worth RM187 million that the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces ordered from local supplier Aerotree Defence & Services Sdn Bhd.

Previously, Army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said a proposal would be made to cancel the Black Hawk lease contract after delays in the delivery of the first of four helicopters.

Khaled said even without the new helicopters, the army’s operations would continue as normal.

“The helicopter was intended for use by the army in rural Sabah and Sarawak, as well as to transport equipment,” he added.

The new helicopters were reportedly ordered to replace the Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri, suspended from service since 2020. - Mkini