Malaysian Army to Receive 4 AW149 Helicopters by August 2027

14 April 2026

AW-149 utility helicopter (photo: Wiki)

KUALA LUMPUR – The country’s tactical operational airspace will be strengthened when the Malaysian Army (TDM) is scheduled to receive four AW149 utility helicopters starting next year.

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Army Chief, General Datuk Azhan Md Othman explained that the acquisition of assets under the control of the Army Air Force (PUTD) does not involve direct purchase, but rather is implemented through a long-term lease contract from the government for 15 years.

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This acquisition step is a critical phase in fulfilling the air mobility operational needs of the force, especially in facing regional geopolitical security threats that demand rapid maneuvering.

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In fact, the air fleet modernization plan does not stop there. The military is now formulating a follow-up acquisition plan to lease four additional helicopters with the same lease period.

​Commenting further on the development, General Azhan explained that the entry of the assets will significantly increase the readiness of PUTD.

"For the development of the Army Air Force, we are expected to receive four AW149 helicopters through the government's 15-year lease program. We are also planning another procurement of four additional helicopters for the same period.

"This procurement is expected to enter service next year, perhaps in August or by the end of the year," he said at a press conference in conjunction with the 93rd Army Anniversary Parade at Sungai Besi Camp, today.

This approach to leasing military assets is seen as a two-pronged option. It allows the military to acquire the latest assets immediately for operational deployment, while the heavy maintenance and upkeep costs are usually absorbed by the service provider throughout the lease period.

Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) mobile artillery system

In a separate development that has also attracted the attention of defense observers, the Army confirmed the status of the procurement of the Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) mobile artillery system.

The process of acquiring the high-destructive artillery system is currently progressing smoothly. The long-range firing assets are also expected to begin arriving and entering the TDM inventory service in next year.

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The inclusion of the SPH will change the country's infantry artillery combat doctrine, as this system offers the advantage of "shoot and run" mobility that makes it difficult for the enemy to detect the location of the attack compared to the use of conventional towed artillery.

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The entire acquisition of this heavy and tactical asset is in line with the direction of the TDM which is now entering its 93rd year. The top leadership of the force has set a multi-pronged target to surpass the conventional capability line, thus structuring the ground defense machinery into a future-ready force.

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This preparation is very urgent to ensure that military personnel are equipped with the right instruments in dealing with the reality of modern warfare which is now dominated by hybrid threats and multi-domain warfare tactics.

(AirTimes)