PETALING JAYA: The leasing of 28 helicopters is appropriate and based on current needs, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
"The advantages of this approach have been discussed by me during the tabling of Budget 2025 previously and by the Prime Minister during his answering sessions in Dewan Rakyat on Nov 28.
"Furthermore this matter will be answered again by me during the ministerial wind-up session scheduled on Feb 20," the Defence Minister said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 5).
The Armed Forces and other security agencies have been criticised by certain parties for leasing 28 helicopters under a 15-year contract worth RM16.5bil.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during a previous Prime Minister's Question Time in Nov 2024, said that the leasing of helicopters was a more transparent process and avoided the financial burden of maintenance costs.
He also said that the leasing also saw negotiations only held between governments without the need for any agents.
