PORT DICKSON, Oct 5 – The Malaysian Army (TDM) is expecting to receive Black Hawk helicopters before the end of this month, according to the date agreed in the second extension letter issued by the Procurement Division of the Ministry of Defence.
Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman said if the vendor company involved still fails to make the delivery by the set date, TDM will urge the Procurement Division to take firm action, in line with the conditions set in the extension letter.
He explained that if the contract is cancelled, the same specification and type of helicopter, which is the Combat Utility Helicopter (UH-60A), should be replaced to meet the ‘operational requirement’ of TDM as well as the general staff requirements of the army’s air corps.
“TDM adheres to the position that the acquisition of these helicopters must comply with all the details and terms outlined in the letter of acceptance (SST) which has been agreed upon by both parties, namely the Malaysian government and Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd.
“Appropriate action will be taken for all delivery delays by the Procurement Division as the contract manager, including imposing late fines or contract termination if necessary,” he said.
In the meantime, Mohammad said there is an urgent need to replace the Super Lynx aircraft including some obsolete Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) assets.
He said that until now the RMN still operates some of the Super Lynx helicopters, whose functions are limited to surface warfare and anti-submarine torpedo launchers only.
He said the aircraft had been in operation for over 20 years and was projected to operate on a limited basis until 2026.
