KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 12): The Ministry of Defence should provide a detailed explanation on the leasing contract for AW149 helicopters, a former deputy defence minister urged on Wednesday.

The ministry should clarify the aircraft’s capabilities for essential military operations and the rationale behind awarding the substantial contract to Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd, Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) said and questioned the urgency of the leasing arrangement.

“Can the AW149 perform fundamental military tasks, such as under-slung transport of 105mm howitzers, which are widely used by the Malaysian Army?” Ikmal Hisham asked during the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

In December, the ministry signed an agreement with Weststar Aviation to supply and maintain 28 helicopters manufactured by Italian aerospace and defence contractor Leonardo SpA under a public-private partnership contract for RM16.5 billion in December 2024.

The helicopters were picked to replace the American-made Sikorsky S-61 or Nuri helicopter.

Ikmal Hisham has been criticising the choice, noting that the aircraft may not fully meet the army’s daily operational requirements, which include resupply missions to remote outposts, airborne training for special forces, and search-and-rescue operations during disasters.

He also stressed the need for helicopters capable of operating in diverse weather conditions and intercepting intruding speedboats along Malaysia’s maritime borders. Further, Ikmal Hisham has also questioned the leasing arrangement.

“Why the urgency to sign an agreement with Weststar, a company that essentially acts as an intermediary rather than a helicopter manufacturer?” Ikmal Hisham questioned on Wednesday.

He also cast doubt on the government’s claim that the public-private partnership model would be more cost-effective, arguing that a direct leasing arrangement with the manufacturer Leonardo would have been a better option.

The government can also do better through an international open tender process also, he added.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has earlier said the helicopters will be used by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, the police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Fire and Rescue Department. One unit is being designated for the Prime Minister’s Department.

Under the agreement, the leasing company would be required to ensure 85% availability. Upon completion of the 15-year lease tenure, ownership of the helicopters will be transferred to the government.

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