Friday 29 Mar 2024
By
main news image

KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has extended its contract with Malaysia's Ministry of Defence for the provision of support services for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) A400M airlifters.  

Under the contract, which was signed here today at the Defence Services Asia 2018 exhibition, Airbus will continue to provide performance-based services, including material support, engineering services, flight operations and maintenance support for the RMAF A400Ms.  

"The agreement also covers additional spare parts and ground equipment, as well as training courses, to support A400M air-to-air refuelling operations," Airbus said in a statement, adding it will work with the local industry to deliver the services.  

Airbus Defence and Space head of military aircraft services Stephen Miegel said the current existing contract has been effective, proven by excellent aircraft availability of the RMAF A400M fleet.  

"We are strongly focused on continuing to build the RMAF’s expertise on the A400M and transferring the support activity to the air force itself and the local workforce," he said.  

Airbus noted its personnel will continue to be deployed at RMAF No 22 at the Subang Air Base to support the service, but their numbers will gradually reduce, as RMAF officers and other locally-hired personnel will take over the work.  

Malaysia is the first export customer for the A400M and the RMAF received its fourth aircraft in 2017. In addition to the A400Ms, Airbus said more than 100 of its civil and military helicopters are in service in the country.

"The company has developed strong industrial partnerships in the country, and its activities are worth USD400 million per year for Malaysia’s economy and sustains over 4,000 local jobs," the statement added. 

      Print
      Text Size
      Share