SUBANG – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) is expected to receive three more AW189 helicopters this December, bringing the agency’s total air assets to nine.
Saifuddin said the helicopters were part of the procurement of four AW189s worth RM529 million, with one of them handed over to Maritime Malaysia on Thursday.
“This is the first of four helicopters, while the other three are scheduled to arrive in December. This contract is worth RM529 million and I am grateful that this project has been completed,” he said during a press conference after the Maritime Malaysia AW189 Helicopter Reception Ceremony at the Malaysian Maritime Air Station Subang here on Thursday as reported by Sinar Harian.
According to him, Maritime Malaysia’s five existing air assets consist of AW139 helicopters, while the addition of AW189 brings the current total air assets to six.
He said the increase in assets was important to help Maritime Malaysia monitor the Malaysian Maritime Zone which covers an area of 556,285 square kilometres.
“Apart from the usual marine assets, radars, ships, drones, boats, one element that is important for Maritime Malaysia is for aerial surveillance, search and rescue functions, special operations and various other forms of tasks,” he said.
He added the country’s waters face various threats including encroachment by foreign fishermen, entry of foreign vessels, smuggling of arms, drugs and prohibited goods as well as smuggling of people, refugees and illegal immigrants.
He stressed that the AW189 has better capabilities than existing air assets, particularly in terms of flight duration, speed and payload capacity.
“This helicopter is operated by a crew of five and is capable of carrying up to 14 passengers in addition to being used for air surveillance, search and rescue operations (CARILAMAT) and special operations,” he said.
Saifuddin said capacity building of personnel was also given attention to ensure that they had sufficient skills to operate the new assets.
“They are being trained, they are training in Italy, they will continue inside before they are at the level of readiness to operate this new aircraft,” he said.
He said the addition of the assets also boosted the morale of Malaysian Maritime personnel as they received the support of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) and the government in carrying out the task of maintaining the country’s maritime security.
He said the government is also expected to receive a mothership in the first quarter of next year to further enhance Malaysia’s maritime capabilities.
The procurement of the four AW189 helicopters was approved through the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4), the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP), with a contract period from 19 January 2024 to 18 January 2029.
