Up to 28 New Rotorcraft to Support National Defence, Security, and Public Services
Langkawi, 21 May 2025
At the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), Leonardo and its long-time Malaysian partner, Weststar Aviation Services, officially launched a major helicopter modernization and expansion initiative for the Malaysian Government. The program, one of the most significant of its kind for Leonardo in Malaysia, will deliver up to 28 helicopters across various mission profiles, with deliveries expected primarily between 2026 and 2027.
Under the plan, Weststar will acquire the helicopters and lease them to the government under a 15-year agreement. The initiative will include localized maintenance and training support to ensure operational sustainability and skill development within Malaysia.
This project marks a substantial boost in Leonardo Helicopters’ footprint within Malaysia’s military, law enforcement, and public service sectors. The diverse fleet will support the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) with roles ranging from utility and transport to firefighting, emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue (SAR), and disaster response.
Significantly, the program introduces Leonardo’s AW149 helicopters into service with both the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Army for Combat Search and Rescue and multipurpose utility operations. This represents the type’s debut in Malaysia and reinforces its growing reputation as a next-generation multirole military platform on the international stage.
Leonardo aims to deepen its commitment to the Malaysian aerospace industry by positioning the country as a strategic regional center for rotorcraft operations. Building on its longstanding presence and collaborations with local stakeholders, the company is expanding its industrial footprint with increased investment in skills, technology, and infrastructure.
Leonardo currently operates a regional training and support center near Kuala Lumpur—the only such helicopter training academy outside of its domestic bases. More than 240 Leonardo helicopters are in service across Malaysia, flown by over 70 operators and accumulating over 40,000 flight hours annually. Over the past decade, the number of pilots trained locally has more than doubled, supported by state-of-the-art simulation systems.
Looking forward, Leonardo plans to further strengthen its local presence through the introduction of additional full-flight simulators, interactive training platforms, and enhanced maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities—including advanced rotor blade repair, electronics servicing, and mission system integration. These steps are part of a broader effort to position Malaysia as a global rotorcraft support hub.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
