Malaysia receives first leased AW139 helicopters
The Weststar Aviation CEO presents an AW139 scale model to RMAF Chief Gen Ackbal Samad in a ceremony on 22 January at RMAF Butterworth. (RMAF)
Malaysia's air force is leasing four AW139 helicopters, and the first two were received last month.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is preparing to operationalise four leased AW139s as a stop-gap replacement for its retired Sikorsky S-61A Nuri fleet.
In a post on its Facebook page on 22 January, the RMAF stated that two helicopters had been delivered by Weststar Aviation to No. 3 Squadron at RMAF Butterworth on 4 December 2021, and that the remaining two aircraft will be delivered in February and April.
The RMAF has not declared the helicopters and the squadron operational yet, as training is ongoing with eight pilots and four air quartermasters at PWN Excellence facilities in Subang.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Airbus details A400M upgrade as second Indonesia aircraft delivery looms]()
World Defense Show 2026: Airbus details A400M upgrade as second Indonesia aircraft delivery looms
With the A400M set for a capability upgrade, Airbus officials are bullish about the aircraft and its market potential for both new and existing customers with the improvements geared towards meeting future requirements.
-
![World Defense Show 2026: L3Harris to achieve full-rate production of Viper Shield soon]()
World Defense Show 2026: L3Harris to achieve full-rate production of Viper Shield soon
L3Harris has completed the production candidate software load for its Viper Shield airborne electronic warfare system and is conducting sea trials with its VAMPIRE counter-drone system.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: CCA manufacturers eye growing opportunities in Asia-Pacific]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: CCA manufacturers eye growing opportunities in Asia-Pacific
Companies offering collaborative combat aircraft say there is a massive potential for countries adopting the capability in the Asia-Pacific region.
