Boeing takes pride in fulfilling offset obligations
LANGKAWI : Ai r c r a f t manufacturer Boeing Company has established itself as one of the most responsible companies in fulfilling offset obligations related to the sales of defence equipment, including to Malaysia.
The company works with hundreds of companies, each with varying degrees of offset, Robert Schoeff ling, Boeing’s Military Aircraft, Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Business Development’s Offset Obligations Senior Manager said.
“We also work closely with governments to best fulfill the requirements, whether its direct offset, indirect offset, technology transfer or whatever that fulfil the needs of that country,” he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Lanoka International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibit ion ( LIMA’15) here recently.
In 1993, Malaysia ordered eight F/A-18D Hornets fighter jets from Boeing Defence, Space and Security to strengthen the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s ( RMAF) airpower capability.
As part of Boeing’s industrial part icipation commitment stemming from the F/A- 18D purchase, Boeing completed a planned 10-year, US$271 million offset programme within seven years.
Its subsidiary, Inset Pacific signed a contract with Composites Technology Research Malaysia for the provision of Scan Eagle hardware and services for Malaysian Armed Forces in 2012.
On March 21, 2003, MEASAT Satel l ite Systems Sdn Bhd and Boeing announced the procurement of a high- power commercial communications satellite to enhance Malaysia’s infrastructure and regional communications.
Boeing is currently performing an avionics and weapons systems capability upgrade modification programmed on RMAF Hornets and has secured a direct procurement agreement with the Malaysian government to provide commercial support services and currently is promoting its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft ( MSA).
The Boeing’s MSA is a fully integrated, modular, open architecture solution, built using a combination of the latest military and commercial- off- the- shelf technologies to deliver maximum capability in a business jet- class aircraft.
The MSA applies advanced, proven, fielded intel ligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Bui lt on a Bombardier Challenger platform, the MSA recently completed initial ground and flight testing and is ideal for monitoring large coastal areas, long range search and rescue
We also work closely with governments to best fulfill the requirements, whether its direct offset, indirect offset, technology transfer or whatever that fulfil the needs of that country. Robert Schoeffling, Boeing’s Military Aircraft, Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Business Development’s Offset Obligations Senior Manager
situations and humanitarian efforts.
Malaysia’s relationship with Boeing dates back to 1947 with the acquisition of three 21-seater DC3s for Malayan Airways Limited, then a small, regional carrier, to offer in-flight services for the first time. — Bernama