Leonardo hopes to land Navy helicopter contract
KUALA LUMPUR: Italian global aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo SpA anticipates its Malaysian helicopter business will continue growing healthily, underpinned by the improved economy.
Vincenzo Alaimo, the vicepresident of sales (Asia-Pacific) of Leonardo Helicopters and managing director of its unit, AgustaWestland Malaysia Sdn Bhd, said there was demand from the private and public sectors for helicopters.
“We have been growing strongly in Malaysia over the last 10 years. We went from very few helicopters then to our current fleet of 55 helicopters.
“One of the opportunities on the horizon for Leonardo is the AW159, an anti-submarine helicopter for the Royal Malaysian Navy.
“Meanwhile, the AW189 can be tasked with search and rescue operations as well as coast guard duties,” he told NST Business yesterday.
Alaimo said Leonardo, which worked closely with Weststar Group, aimed to sell six units of the AW159 and four units of the AW189 in Malaysia.
“Weststar is the leading player in terms of offering services to the government, navy and oil and gas business providers,” he added.
He said the company was confident of securing a contract from the government, adding that most of its products had the right solutions, particularly when it came to the anti-submarine operations required by helicopters for the navy.
“The AW159 is definitely an important asset as it can protect areas of interest, such as the South China Sea.
“There is a lot of sea-going traffic in the region, mainly surface vessels and submarines,” he said.
Alaimo said Malaysia was Leonardo’s hub in Southeast Asia for helicopter support and training, adding that there were a few untapped markets still to be developed.
“For example, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), better known as flying ambulance, is the next step for the helicopter market in terms of development.
“This service is very common in the United States and Europe, but it is still undeveloped in this region,” he said.
Alaimo believed HEMS would be one area of growth in Malaysia in the next five years.
Agusta Westland Malaysia, which was established in 2007, currently has more than 55 helicopters in operation, comprising the AW139, AW189, AW109, AW119 and the Super Lynx.
“Most of our fleet is being used for business charter services by government agencies, the armed forces and oil and gas service providers,” he said, adding that half of its helicopter fleet was used by the oil and gas sector.
Alaimo believed there would be more oil and gas exploration activities this year, in light of the recovery in prices.
“Oil and gas players are more optimistic. We can see now, particularly Malaysia, that there is more positive sentiment regarding exploration works and new projects.
“Hopefully, there will be more opportunities for us in the helicopter business,” he added.