Rajawali – the unofficial name of RMAF Cougar

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) acquisition of 12 EC725 Cougar utility helicopters, was described as achieving its mission of modernising the nation’s defence assets and enhancing its reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the region.

The top of its range aircraft, developed by the French company European Aeronautic, Defense and Space (EADS), parent company of Eurocopter Malaysia, can also be used for search and rescue apart from combat.

ATM Commander Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin told Bernama that the 12 EC725 Cougar helicopters would complement existing assets such as the American Sikorsy Nuri helicopters, which have been in ATM’s inventory for 50 years.

“I’m sure the combination of the two types of aircrafts can strengthen airspace monitoring,” he said.

Two of the new helicopters have been stationed at the Royal Malaysian Air force (RMAF) base in Kuantan, Pahang, while the rest are expected to arrive in stages up to 2014, he said.

Zulkifeli added that the aircraft simulator was stationed at the Subang RMAF base and was expected to hasten the process of training its pilots to master the helicopters.

Meanwhile, RMAF Commander Gen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said they had also sent a number of pilots to France for training before the helicopters arrived here.

The EC725 can reach a maximum speed of 324 kilometres per hour and has a 30-passenger capacity, inclusive of two crew.

The EC725 also has an excellent combat record in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars during the past decade.

Rodzali said TUDM had a long term plan to purchase several Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) to beef up the nation’s airspace defence.

Among them would be four A400M aircrafts arriving in stages from France to replace Charlie, in January 2015 and to replace its 18 MIG-29 fighter jets, which have been in service for more than 15 years, he added.

He said, depending on the country’s finances and economic stability, ATM was optimistic of purchasing the required MRCA.

Defence analyst and militaryofmalaysia.net blogger Shah Paskal, said the modernising of assets being done by ATM, particularly involving the RMAF, was closely linked to the National Defence Policy which was introduced a long time ago.

“Previously, the policy concentrated on the communist threat, but since they were disarmed in 1989, the focus has shifted to potential outside threats against Malaysia,” he said.

— BERNAMA