A109LOH Enters Service with the Malaysian Army

AgustaWestland, Following the delivery of the first AgustaWestland A109 LOH to the Malaysian Army on 8th December 2005, three aircraft have now entered service with the Army Aviation unit at Kluang. The entry into service followed a period of intensive flying training for Malaysian Army pilots which was conducted both in Italy and Malaysia and included conversion to type training and IFR flight training, as well as training for maintenance personnel. Deliveries of the remaining A109 LOH aircraft to the Malaysian Army will continue through 2006. 
 
Spares and logistic support is being provided by AgustaWestland and DRB-HICOM subsidiary Deftech (DRB-Hicom Defense Technologies Sdn Bhd) with facilities now established in Kuala Lumpur and Kluang. 
 
AgustaWestland was awarded a contract by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence for the supply of eleven A109 Light Observation Helicopters (LOHs), a variant of the A109 LUH, together with an initial product support and training package, in late 2003. The A109 LOH, a version of the well known A109 LUH, was selected as the best and most cost effective helicopter following a rigorous process of evaluation run by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence against several competitors. The primary purpose of the LOH is to serve as a cost efficient system for observation, reconnaissance, tactical transport and area suppression missions. 
 
The Malaysian Army Aviation is the first operator of the A109 LOH in Asia and the third customer to start operations worldwide. A109 LUHs are already in service with the South African and Swedish Armed Forces. The A109 LUH, with 61 units ordered so far, is the foremost light twin engine helicopter for military utility and advanced training purposes.  
 
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is one of the largest helicopter companies in the world. The company offers an unrivalled range of helicopters, training and support solutions to satisfy the requirements of civil and military customers. AgustaWestland has its primary operations in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.