KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Army is set to receive the first of four Black Hawk helicopters in April.
Army chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said yesterday the Sikorsky UH-60A+ Black Hawk helicopters were leased for use by the Army’s Air Unit.
The first helicopter was initially supposed to be received by the Army in November last year, however, due to various constraints involving the contractor and the helicopter manufacturer, there has been a slight delay.
“Nevertheless, the contractor has promised to deliver the first helicopter in April, and I hope they fulfill their promise,” he said when asked about the progress of acquiring the medium-lift transport helicopters.
He was speaking to reporters at the army’s breaking of fast ceremony held at the Thoriq bin Ziyad Mosque, Perdana Camp, Sungai Besi.
Also present were Army Deputy Chief Lt Gen Datuk Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim and the Army Western Field Commander Lt Gen Datuk Muhammad Huzaimi Sabri.
Asked about the reasons for the delay, Muhammad Hafizuddeain declined to speculate but stressed that the army urgently needed the assets for training and operations.
In May last year, the Ministry of Defence signed a five-year lease contract worth RM187 million with local company Aerotree Defence & Services Sdn Bhd for the four helicopters.
Meanwhile, at the event, the army also handed out cash donations and essential items to 16 ‘asnaf’ (zakat recipients) and family members of military personnel facing health issues.
Food and necessities were also distributed to mosques within army camps nationwide.
A total of 1,000 army personnel and members of the Armed Forces Family Welfare Body (BAKAT) including eight former Army chiefs attended the event. — BERNAMA
