Royal Malaysian Navy's AW139 Takes Flight

24 September 2021

RMN AW139HOM helicopter (photo : Tiziano Carpenti)

A Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Leonardo AW139HOM Maritime Operation Helicopter has made its first flight over Leonardo’s facility in Turin, Italy some time on September 16 or September 17. The said helicopter, the first of three helicopters to be operated by No 503 Skn out of Kota Kinabalu Naval Air Station, was seen adorning the color scheme adopted by the RMN Aviation Branch (Cawangan Udara TLDM– CUT) but devoid any insignia that relates to Navy.

It sports a temporary Italian registration numbers CSX820036 but will soon get its military serial number which could be M503-01 in accordance to the convention set for Malaysian naval helicopter and aircraft.

RMN AW139HOM helicopter (images : Galaxy Aerospace)

The future M503-01 was seen with electro optic/infra red (EO/IR) camera turret mounted on the helicopter’s chin. It also has radar, flash light as well as hoist making it obviously being optimised for Special Operations (SpecOps) in support of PASKAL Unit 2 out of KD Sri Semporna as well as resupply (RESUP) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) missions for deployed ships, submarines, offshore stations and sea bases under the command of the Eastern Fleet.

Besides the Kota Kinabalu Naval Air Station which is situated at the Kota Kinabalu Naval Base near Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah, the helicopter would also being deployed to KD Sri Semporna in Semporna, Sabah where PASKAL Unit 2 is garrisoned. The helicopter would also be operating onboard PL Tun Sharifah Rodziah seabase, the two Multi Purpose Support and Command Ships (MPCSS) the KD Mahawangsa and KD Sri Inderaskati as well as two naval Auxiliary Ships the KA Tun Azizan and KA Bunga Mas 5.

Following a tender exercise held in 2019, the RMN has signed a contract with Galaxy Helicopter for the supply of three AW139 on September 20, 2020 (nice number right?). The first helicopter will be delivered on October 20, 2022 while the second and third to be delivered subsequently on May 31, 2023 and on February 28, 2024.

Earlier, Galaxy Helicopters has revealed Computer Generated Images (CGI) of the Navy’s AW139HOM.

(MFH)