In a Jan. 13 press release, MD Helicopters announced that six MD530G light attack helicopters were en route to Malaysia for final acceptance and are expected to arrive by the end of the first quarter of 2022. Delivery of the aircraft has been repeatedly delayed since Malaysia placed the order in 2016, when it became the launch customer for the aircraft. In 2019, the Malaysian government very nearly cancelled the order for the helicopters, which are intended for the Royal Malaysian Army, before reinstating the contract the following year. In addition to the MD530Gs, the Royal Malaysian Navy is taking delivery of new Leonardo AW139s (see photo, courtesy of Oscar Bernardi), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has leased four AW139 utility helicopters from Westar Aviation Services, an interim acquisition as the RMAF considers a replacement for the retired Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri. The RMAF took delivery of two on Dec. 4 to No. 3 Squadron, with the remaining two delivered in February.
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