Leonardo capped off LIMA 2019 with the signing of a contract for five new helicopters ‘“ three AW169s and two AW139s ‘“ with the Malaysian offshore helicopter transportation company Weststar Aviation Services.
These helicopters will not be flown in Malaysia, but rather in West Africa and the Middle East. The deal, worth around €50 million ($56.4 million) and signed on 27 March, is perhaps a small indication that the oil/gas sector is beginning to recover.
The AW139s will operate under the Al-Khafji Joint Operations contract in Saudi Arabia, while the AW169s will help fulfil Weststar’s Exxon Mobil & Noble contract in Equatorial Guinea.
Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters, said: ‘˜Weststar is one of our most important helicopter customers worldwide, and we are happy to confirm our leading position in the offshore market in the region. There are now over 60 Leonardo helicopters in Malaysia, where we have our regional customer support and training hub, and we plan to increase our presence even further in the future by expanding the services we offer.’
Weststar, which was formed in 2003, operates 33 AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters from bases in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
At the LIMA 2019 exhibition, the Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department (Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia) displayed one of its AW189 helicopters for the first time (pictured). The Bomba ordered two of these helicopters during the Singapore Air Show in 2016, with delivery slated for 2017.
However, they did not formally enter service till 4 December 2018 because of delays in getting certification from the civil aviation authority.
The Bomba already operates an AW109, a pair of AW139 and four Mi-17V helicopters. A crewman told Shephard that the AW189 helicopters are being used for forestry surveillance, SAR, and fire-fighting with a bucket. The helicopter on display was configured to carry up to 18 passengers.
In South Korea, the Seoul Fire Department is commencing operations with an AW189, while the Tokyo Fire Department will follow suit with one soon too.
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) operates six Super Lynx 300 helicopters, these being delivered in 2003. However, the navy has not carried out any upgrades on these aircraft so far. A Leonardo spokesperson said that his company can assist with either an upgrade programme or a replacement with the AW159 Wildcat.
Leonardo demonstrated the AW159 to the RMN in Malaysia in April 2018.
The RMN still possesses the Sea Skua anti-ship missile, but it is unclear whether these missiles are still useable. MBDA is marketing the forthcoming Sea Venom missile to Malaysia for use aboard the Super Lynx.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy should expect to receive its two AW159s ‘˜imminently’, which means within the next few months.
Leonardo is also promoting its M-346FA light fighter to the Royal Malaysian Air Force, which has issued an RfI for such a capability. The M-346FA has a self-defence system (including radar warning receiver, chaff and flare dispenser, and missile approach warning sensor), tactical data link and Grifo-346 radar.
Russia brought a Yak-130 and India brought a Tejas to Malaysia in direct response to Malaysia’s light combat aircraft requirement, whereas Leonardo made do with a scale model of the M-346FA.
