KOTA TINGGI: The Defence Ministry has called for fresh tender to lease four helicopters for the Army Air Corps after cancelling a previous award to a company that failed to deliver the aircraft, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Defence Minister said the retendering process was necessary as the Army requires helicopters for its operations.
“We will assess the type of helicopters, their age, leasing costs and other factors before making a decision.
“During the evaluation process, we will also take into account the views expressed by the King of Malaysia recently,” he said after having breakfast with the Chinese community at the Kota Tinggi Muafakat Food Court here on Sunday (Aug 24).
Asked about the type of helicopters that would be leased under the new awards, Mohamed Khaled said this would depend on the tenders received.
He said the fresh tender was called following the ministry’s cancellation of a contract for the lease of Black Hawk helicopters in November last year as the company, which earlier won the tender, failed to deliver.
He added that the company was fined and its guarantee money forfeited.
On Aug 16, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had issued a reminder to the ministry not to repeat past mistakes in the procurement of military assets, particularly second-hand aircraft that could endanger the lives of pilots and personnel.
The King, who is Colonel Commandant of the Special Forces Regiment (Gerup Gerak Khas), specifically cautioned against the proposed acquisition of Black Hawk helicopters that are over 30 years old.
