The Malaysian Army is awaiting the arrival of four Leonardo AW149 helicopters next year, though they will be leased rather than owned by the army.
This was confirmed last month by General Datuk Azhan Md Othman, the Chief of Army. He explained, “For the development of Malaysian Army Aviation, we are expected to receive four AW149 helicopters through the government’s 15-year lease programme.”
He predicted the helicopters will enter service by August 2027, or by the end of the year at a minimum.
Incidentally, the Royal Air Force in the UK recently selected the AW149 for its New Medium Helicopter programme.
This particular leasing deal had been signed with Weststar Aviation on 19 December 2024. The government said at the time, “This privatisation approach through the leasing mechanism is seen as a strategic step that can not only increase the effectiveness of procurement, but also ensure that resource management is carried out more efficiently and effectively.”It added, “This method is also considered innovative because it has the potential to save long-term costs without affecting the quality or function of the acquired asset.”
Azhan also outlined plans to do the same again too. “We are also planning another procurement of four additional helicopters for the same period,” he said at a press conference at Sungai Besi Camp in March, coinciding with the Malaysian Army’s 93rd anniversary.
Leasing gives the Malaysian Army two advantages – it can obtain new technology quickly, plus the burden of maintenance and sustainment are the responsibility of the lessor.
The aforementioned 15-year leasing arrangement was concluded between the Malaysian government, Leonardo and Weststar at the LIMA exhibition in May 2025. The approximately US$3.5 billion agreement covered up to 28 helicopters, most to be delivered in 2026-27.
Distribution was announced as twelve helicopters to the RMAF, seven to the Royal Malaysian Police, four to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, two to the Royal Malaysian Navy, two to Fire & Rescue, and one to the Prime Minister’s Department.
At the same event, the Ministry of Defence announced an MYR187 million (US$47.5 million) contract to Weststar Aviation Services for helicopter leasing services to the RMAF. This was for four AW139s, in addition to four already on lease.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force was directed to pursue a leasing deal for a dozen AW149s in 2024, instead of acquiring dedicated combat search and rescue helicopters. The RMAF needed aircraft to replace the retired Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri platform dating from the 1960s.
The RMAF also relies on a private contractor to sustain its dozen Airbus H225M helicopters. In August 2024, BHIC AeroServices – a subsidiary of Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation – announced it had received a five-year contract worth RM378 million to support the fleet.
by Gordon Arthur
