DSA 2022: Widad Skycore seeks to meet Malaysian helicopter needs
The retirement of the S-61 Nuri (pictured above) left capability gaps in the Malaysian military’s capability. (Dzirhan Mahadzar)
Malaysia's constrained finances are hindering new helicopter procurements, but one Malaysian-based company is hoping to get involved.
Malaysian company Widad Skycore is positioning itself to meet future Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) helicopter procurements.
The company has opted out of the Malaysian Army’s stop-gap programme to lease helicopters because it was not fiscally viable due to high insurance costs, Lt Col (Retired) Kamal Idris Johari, the company’s CEO, told Shephard at DSA 2022.
Nonetheless, Widad Skycore will participate in other future Malaysian government acquisition programmes.
The phasing out of the S-61 Nuri in both the army and RMAF resulted in pilots of the army’s 882 Squadron being unable to fly. Therefore, leased helicopters are needed to ensure
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: RSAF refreshes air transport capability as part of force modernisation]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: RSAF refreshes air transport capability as part of force modernisation
Singapore is understood to have received three of four ex-Spanish C-130Hs from Blue Aerospace in recent weeks.
-
![Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2026)]()
Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2026)
The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet remains in the limelight more than 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and details everything you need to know about the aircraft in 2026.
-
![January Drone Digest: MALE, rotary-wing and loitering munition UAVs dominate early 2026]()
January Drone Digest: MALE, rotary-wing and loitering munition UAVs dominate early 2026
The first month of 2026 has seen activity in the MALE, rotary-wing, and loitering munition UAV markets, with significant investments and commitments from Germany, Turkey, the UAE and the US. At the same time, questions over loitering munition performance in Ukraine highlight the growing scrutiny alongside rising demand.
