Agence France-Presse, Malaysia plans to phase out its aging fleet of military Nuri helicopters and to call a tender for their replacement, the deputy prime minister was quoted as saying July 19.
The decision follows the July 17 discovery of the bodies of six Malaysian military personnel among the wreckage of their crashed American-made Sikorsky S-61 Nuri.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also defense minister, said cabinet has “come out with a proposal to replace the helicopters.”
Specifications will be prepared over the next few months before a tender is called, Najib was quoted in the New Staits Times as saying.
Phasing out the Nuris will probably take up to three years, he added.
There were no survivors in the crash of the Nuri near the Genting Highlands entertainment resort in Pahang state. Bad weather appeared to be a major factor behind the accident, Najib said earlier.
The Nuri helicopter has been in use since 1968 and more than 20 of them remain in the Malaysian air force.
“We do not have many options as the Nuri is the main vehicle used by the air force for transportation. We cannot just terminate its usage immediately,” Najib said, answering questions on Tuesday about its continued use.
