Malaysia wants further growth in aerospace industry, says Najib

wzhtg

New Member
Malaysia wants further growth in aerospace industry, says Najib
NAJIB (C) witnesses the exchange of documents between Phillipe Lubrano (2nd L) of Eurocopter and Rosdi Mahmud of CTRM in Petaling Jaya, May 25. - Utusanpix.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



PETALING JAYA May 25 - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia was looking forward to see further growth and development of the aerospace industry in the country.

He said Malaysia would continue to make investments in the industry and was seeking for smart partnership as well as upgrading related fields.

Najib, who is also the Defence Minister, said this at the signing ceremony between Eurocopter Malaysia and Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM) at the Terminal Two of the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, here Tuesday.

The signing is for the sales of eight units of BO 105 Helicopters with remanufacturing kits to CTRM and for the cooperation agreement for helicopter technology partnership between Eurocopter Malaysia and CTRM.

Eurocopter Malaysia was represented by its managing director, Phillipe Lubrano while CTRM by its chief executive officer Col (Rtd) Rosli Mahmud.

Najib said that Malaysia had emerged as the centre for the development and maintenance of helicopters in the region.

He cited low cost as one of the many reasons that Malaysia was picked as the refurbishment centre for helicopters.

The helicopters that are being refurbished in Malaysia are 40 percent to 50 percent cheaper than those done in the European countries, Najib said.

Currently, eight helicopters are being refurbished by CTRM either in Kuala Lumpur or Melaka.

Asked whether the refurbished helicopters will be used for defence purposes, he said: "We are looking into it."

MEANWHILE, CTRM expects to rake in a substantial return of about RM10 million for the first year and more than RM150 million within the next five years from its collaboration with Eurocopter Malaysia, a company involved in aerospace and defence-related services.

CTRM today signed two agreements with Eurocopter for the delivery of BO 105 helicopter to CTRM and for cooperation in helicopter technology partnership.

The agreements were signed here by chief executive officer of CTRM Col (Rtd) Rosdi Mahmud and managing director of Eurocopter Malaysia Phillipe Lubrano. It was witnessed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Chairman of CTRM Tan Sri Ahmad Zaharudin Idrus said under the agreements, CTRM would reassemble, refurbish and upgrade the BO 105 VBH helicopter, to the latest standards and requirements of the Malaysian government, which would then be leased to the Malaysian Armed Forces.

It was understood that the refurbished helicopters could also be leased by neighbouring governments, for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Fisheries Department for maritime surveillance.

This agreement followed the memorandum of understanding signed in October 2003 between the Malaysian government, EADS (the parent company of Eurocopter) and Eurocopter Malaysia, covering the delivery of up to 30 BO 105 and transfer of technical know-how.

The helicopter will be upgraded from CB4 to E-5 variant, which will include both the airframe and the avionic systems.

Ahmad Zaharudin said the modifications would result in higher fit, main gearbox cooling system to adapt to tropical operations and changes in rotor control system.

The basic configuration that would be utilised for this programme is well known and has already been used in more than 300 helicopters of the German army and about 600 helicopters in 20 countries worldwide.

Based on the appropriate transfer of technologies, know-how and capabilities developed as part of the purchase for the Malaysian authority, CTRM and Eurocopter would further expand to supply the locally upgraded helicopter to the regional market.

"The partnership will contribute to further developing CTRM's involvement in the defence and civil aviation industry in the country as well as penetrating into regional and global markets," Ahmad Zaharudin said.

He said besides the BO 105 programme, other possible cooperation could be tailored to other range of Eurocopter/EADS series of helicopters such as the Tiger and the Super Puma/Cougar.

As the partnership develops, there would be more business opportunities for CTRM to embark on such as the composite components manufacturing packages and under license helicopter assembly from Eurocopter/EADS.

Meanwhile, Najib who was speaking at a press conference said, Malaysia was now regarded as the hub for refurbishment of aircrafts based on its cheap cost.

Refurbishment cost in Malaysia is 40 percent to 50 percent lower compared with that in Europe, he said.
 
Top