Aircraft giant Airbus is confident of seeing a growth potential of its military and para-public helicopter business in Malaysia.
Its Asia-Pacific vice-president and sales head Fabrice Rochereau said that Airbus' confidence stemmed from its lead in the country's helicopter market with a share of 42 per cent of the pie.
"Airbus has been supporting Malaysian helicopter operations since 1963 when the Malaysian Army started its flying operations with 10 Alouette III helicopters.
"Today, there are close to 90 Airbus helicopters flying in the country for a variety of civil, para-public and military missions," he said.
Rechereau said this at a media briefing at the biennial 2022 Defence Services Asia (DSA) and 2022 National Security Conference Asia (NATSEC) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Dutamas.
He said its customers include the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) operating a fleet of 12 H225M, which is also known as EC725.
"Designed for the most demanding missions, these H225Ms have participated in numerous exercises and humanitarian missions, including flood rescue and lifesaving operations.
"The RMAF's H225M fleet was recognised recently as Asia's highest military flyer of the type, achieving over 20,000 flight hours.
"Our customers' operations are well supported by a strong footprint in Subang, where Airbus' regional helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul hub, completion and delivery centre, as well as a helicopter simulation centre for H225 and AS365 training are based," Rochereau said.
He expects Airbus to maintain its market share with a strong local team and excellent products to meet the country's needs.
"We see growth potential for Malaysia's military and para-public market over the five to ten years, where future demand will be driven by fleet modernisation, renewals, military training and maritime security," said Rochereau.
Within the para-public segment, Rochereau emphasised a growing demand in the law enforcement, maritime security and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) segments, where Airbus aircraft are already actively supporting the agencies for its operations.
Noting that future growth will be driven mainly by fleet renewal, Rochereau saw the company's versatile light-twin H135 as the top choice due to its excellent performance, comfort and mission-capable features.
"I expect growth in the military segment to be fulfilled by a mix of new acquisitions and replacements across military training, maritime security, search and rescue, and tactical transport.
"This is a market best suited for Airbus' H175 for maritime and rescue operations, the versatile H135 for training, and the multi-role H225M to meet a wide range of mission requirements.
"Malaysia is a very important market for Airbus Helicopters where we are firmly rooted.
"We also see immense prospects across the various segments where we are confident that our products represent the best combination of capability and value," said Rochereau.
Airbus is a leader in Malaysia's rotorcraft segment with over 80 Airbus helicopters in service in military, civil and para-public segments.
This includes the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) fleet of multi-role H225M helicopters, the Royal Malaysian Navy's AS555SN Fennec rotorcraft, and the Royal Malaysian Police's AS355 fleet.
Source: NST
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