EC725 Cougar for malaysia?

[Paxter]

[SIZE=-1]atm malaysia is operating the S-61A baught somewhere in the 60s but is highly updated. But it so long over due for a replacement my bet is the EC725.

Cause 1. all the right signs are coming up like the kings smiling approval (farely important), and more importantly eurocopter has open its maintainance branch in malaysia

+ this article here which kinda hinted that this is prob the main candidate for our replacement.

Its that time of the yr when msia goes on one of those shopping sprees... + this yrs budget gave them double their last defence budget now its standing at 5billion+ usd which i feel hasnt include those offset programs like our palm oil/gas/oil trading...

this makes almost all of the military helicopters use by the 3 armed forces mainly eurocopter products... wonder if the tiger is in the pipe line too

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/4/28/nation/14092083&sec=nation
[/SIZE]

 

[Mercenary]

Other Options On The Table

I remember reading somewhere the Mi-17 might be a replacement for their
S-61s.

No doubt there are more suitable medium lift choppers for what the RMAF requirements are. Long-range Search & Rescue is one.

I believe they are looking at EH-101 Merlin and the S-92P as well as Eurocopter's EC-725 Cougar. The Merlin offers the most capability, but is pricey.

The RMAF also operates a small number of Italian A-109s in the VIP role and I believe this was the choice for the first new squadron of their Army Helo's too.

It was the RM Navy that procured AS-555N Naval Fennecs for intial pilot training and secondary light ASW.

But the Mi-17 would make a fine medium lift Assault Helicopter for the RM Army.

Before the Asian Financial Crisis happened in the early 2000's the front runner for the Army's new Attack Helicopter was the South African AH-2A ROOIVALK, there was discussion of licence construction too.

 

[nanotaku]

I remember reading somewhere the Mi-17 might be a replacement for their
S-61s.

No doubt there are more suitable medium lift choppers for what the RMAF requirements are. Long-range Search & Rescue is one.

I believe they are looking at EH-101 Merlin and the S-92P as well as Eurocopter's EC-725 Cougar. The Merlin offers the most capability, but is pricey.

The RMAF also operates a small number of Italian A-109s in the VIP role and I believe this was the choice for the first new squadron of their Army Helo's too.

It was the RM Navy that procured AS-555N Naval Fennecs for intial pilot training and secondary light ASW.

But the Mi-17 would make a fine medium lift Assault Helicopter for the RM Army.

Before the Asian Financial Crisis happened in the early 2000's the front runner for the Army's new Attack Helicopter was the South African AH-2A ROOIVALK, there was discussion of licence construction too.

Looks like everything now has been shelved or reconsidered. Even the MI17 plan is in darkness till now. BO-105 upgrading and refitting program by one local company meant for the Army also now in limbo. It's cleared that Malaysia not keen in old airframe or unproven airframe like the Rooivalk no more. The local production of the Rooivalk might be replaced by local productions of the Agusta and Eurocopter line of products finally.