Tenders were issued in early November for the replacement of the five Airbus AS355N helicopters operated by the Royal Malaysia Police.

Documentation was provided via the Government’s ePerolehan online procurement system.

A selection of the requirements listed are summarised as follows

• twin turbine to JAR/FAR 27 standard
• Cat “A” performance standard
• Skids, not wheels
• IFR rated
• Night vision goggle compatible
• land at 90% MTOW on elevated helipads in built-up areas
• Sound Efficiency Rating (SER) Category B or better
• max cruise speed of at least 130 knots
• endurance 3 hours 30 minutes at normal cruise speed
• must be able to take max 2 pilots and 6 passengers
• MTOW not exceeding 3175kg
• Two helicopters to be fitted with “special mission equipment”
• Fast roping and Repelling system on both port and starboard sides
• hoist provision on all aircraft, and two sets of hoists
• etc

A simple review of these requirements would suggest the likely helicopter types put forward will be the Airbus H135, Bell 429 and Leonardo AW109 Trekker.

The AS355N fleet being replaced were delivered in 1996

There is no suggestion that the Royal Malaysia Police AW139 fleet is affected at all by this procurement