The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) announced the arrival of another AW-139 (M104-05) at Kuching Air Base late in January. The new AW-139 helicopter is operated by a detachment of the RMAF’s No. 3 Squadron, which received its first helicopter in December 2024.
No. 3 Squadron also operates 4 AW-139s from Butterworth Air Force Base, the first 2 of which were delivered in December 2021. No. 3 Squadron had earlier operated S-61 A-4 ‘NURI’ helicopters. The type was grounded in 2019 and retired in 2020, after over 50 years of service. The RMAF operated over 40 S-61s.
The helicopters are being acquired on lease from Malaysian firm Weststar Aviation Services Sdn. Bhd via the Government Operate, Company Own and Maintain (GOCOM) concept.
“This short-term leasing arrangement is a crucial stop-gap measure in RMAF's long-term plan to acquire a formidable fleet of new helicopters equipped with combat search and rescue capabilities,” an RMAF spokesperson said.
The new AW-139s are being used by the RMAF for air logistic support and resupply, Military and Civil Communication flights, Helicopter Insertion Extraction (HIE), Freefall, Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC), Body Evacuation (BODEVAC), Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Deck Landing.
February 2025 will mark the third anniversary of Weststar Aviation Services’ GOCOM contract with the RMAF or its AW139s which have now accumulated over 8,100 flight hours.
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