Leonardo Helicopters upbeat on prospects in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Global civil and defence company Leonardo Helicopters is upbeat on securing contracts for helicopters from Malaysian security forces on the back of its good track record.

Vice-president of Civil Commercial Sales for AsiaPacific Vincenzo Alaimo said the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Air Force and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency had expressed interest on its light helicopters.

“We have been providing a good service. Currently, the armed forces operate our helicopters as they have been proven to be good; and we stand a good chance to continue to thrive in Malaysia,” he told Bernama prior to the recent Defence Services Asia 2018 exhibition and conference here.

Alaimo, who is also general manager of AgustaWestland Malaysia Sdn Bhd (AW Malaysia), a unit of Leonardo SpA, said the group had recently secured a contract to supply AW139 helicopters to the Royal Malaysia Police.

He said Leonardo Helicopters was interested in providing bigger and longer-range helicopters, specifically for search and rescue missions.

“We plan to invest more in people (in the quest) to progress and improve. Providing good helicopters is one thing, but maintaining and making sure that they can fly according to the requirements are also important,” said Alaimo.

Alaimo said Leonardo Helicopters also provided support in terms of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including furnishing spare parts for its helicopters.

“We know that governments worldwide have tight budgets for operating expenses, which is normal. Our challenge is to improve our helicopters and services and provide cost-effective solutions,” he said.

Leonardo Helicopters offers power-by-the-hour support at a fixed cost with the inclusion of new schemes and new ideas, he said, adding that the global helicopter giant would continue to promote its solutions within the region for private and government customers.

AW Malaysia is Leonardo Helicopters Division's regional hub for maintenance and logistics for both civil and military customers in Southeast Asia and several other countries, serving a fleet of about 200 helicopters, he added. — Bernama