Malaysia to start receiving new MD-530G light attack helicopters starting June 2021

 

An MD-530G in Malaysian Army colors. Photo c/o Defense Studies blog page.

The Malaysian Army is scheduled to start receiving the first batch of MD-530G light attack helicopters starting June 2021, according to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The helicopters will be delivered in batches, and would be undergoing evaluation and testing to check if they meet the end user's requirements before delivery.

According to Min. Sabri, a team from the Malaysian Army departed for the United States to conduct the evaluation and testing, which would be followed by another team to perform asset certification processing.

The project to acquire MD-530G light attack helicopters has been plagued with numerous corruption and political issues which has delayed the project by more than 2 years.

The helicopters are expected to be deployed in Sabah, in line with the Malaysian government's plan to expand its presence in its easternmost state, which is currently being claimed by the Philippines. Among those planned is the establishment of an air squadron in Sandakan.


[1] Free Malaysia Today
[2] Air Times