The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritim Malaysia) is expected to receive three additional AW189 helicopters in December, bringing its total number of aerial assets to nine.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the helicopters are part of a RM529 million procurement involving four AW189 aircraft. The first helicopter was officially handed over to the agency on Thursday during a ceremony at the Maritim Malaysia Air Station in Subang.
“This is the first of the four helicopters, while the remaining three are scheduled to arrive in December,” he said during a press conference following the handover ceremony.
Saifuddin Nasution said Maritim Malaysia currently operates five AW139 helicopters, meaning the addition of the first AW189 has increased its aerial fleet to six aircraft. The remaining three deliveries will further strengthen the agency’s ability to monitor the country’s vast maritime zone.
He said the expansion was important as Maritim Malaysia is responsible for monitoring a maritime area covering approximately 556,285 square kilometres. Air surveillance is considered a crucial component of its operations alongside ships, boats, radar systems and drones.
The agency’s responsibilities include responding to various maritime threats, such as incursions by foreign fishing vessels, illegal entry by foreign ships, arms and drug smuggling, trafficking of prohibited goods, as well as the movement of refugees and undocumented migrants.
Saifuddin Nasution said the AW189 offers improved capabilities compared with the agency’s existing aircraft, particularly in terms of flight endurance, speed and payload capacity. The helicopter can be operated by a five-member crew and carry up to 14 passengers.
The new aircraft will support a range of operations, including aerial surveillance, search and rescue missions and special operations. Its enhanced capabilities are expected to give enforcement teams greater flexibility when responding to incidents across Malaysian waters.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said training for personnel to operate the new helicopters was also being carried out. The crews had completed training in Italy and would undergo further training locally before the aircraft reached full operational readiness.
He said the acquisition had also boosted the morale of Maritim Malaysia personnel, reflecting the government and Home Ministry’s continued support for the agency’s role in protecting the country’s maritime security.
The government is also expected to receive a mothership in the first quarter of next year, which Saifuddin Nasution said would further enhance Maritim Malaysia’s operational capabilities.
The procurement of the four AW189 helicopters was approved under the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) of the 11th Malaysia Plan, with the contract running from Jan 19, 2024 to Jan 18, 2029.
