MELBOURNE, Australia — Malaysia’s Army chief confirmed the country will receive the first of six light attack helicopters this year, with Malaysian personnel bound for training in the United States.
Gen. Ahmad Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi also told local media during a news conference that the remaining MD Helicopters-built MD 530G armed reconnaissance/attack helicopters will be delivered in stages through 2021. He added that a technical team from Malaysia will go to the U.S. to obtain certification from the manufacturer.
“Once that is done, we will send the pilots for conversion training, followed by the maintenance crew to equip themselves with the know-how for the helicopters’ upkeep,” he said in remarks carried by Malaysia’s New Straits Times newspaper.
Malaysia ordered the MD 530Gs in early 2016 under a contract estimated to be worth $76.4 million. Local company Halaman Optima was originally selected as the intermediary between the Malaysian government and MD Helicopters, although Halaman Optima was later acquired by Destini Berhad, which is now executing the contract.
See full article DefenseNews