KAI Shows ‘Strong Interest’ in Supplying Helicopters to RMN – Source

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIAS) — After successfully supplying 18 FA-50 Block 20 light fighter aircraft worth approximately RM4 billion to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is now said to be “targeting” the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

Industry sources have informed Defence Security Asia that the South Korean aerospace giant has shown a high interest in participating in the replacement program for the RMN’s Super Lynx Mk300 helicopters.

KAI will “enter the arena” if the Ministry of Defence opens a tender to acquire suitable helicopters to replace the six Super Lynx helicopters currently used by the navy.

Defence Security Asia understands that KAI is likely to present the “Marineon” MOH (Marine Operation Helicopter), which is a maritime variant of the “Surion” helicopter developed by the company and widely used by various branches of the South Korean Armed Forces.

The “Marineon”/”Surion” helicopter has been developed by KAI by combining technologies acquired through the operation of helicopters from the United States and Europe by the South Korean military, as well as using existing platforms and systems available in the market.

The configuration of the “Marineon” helicopter presented by KAI to meet the RMN’s requirements is the “Marine Operation Helicopter” (MOH), with its technical specifications to be determined later by the RMN and KAI.

The MOH configuration of the “Marineon” is better suited to meet the RMN’s needs.

In addition to the MOH configuration for maritime operations, the “Marineon” helicopter also has other configurations such as “Marine Utility Helicopter” (MUH), “Marine Attack Helicopter” (MAH), and “Mines Countermeasure Helicopter” (MCH).

Regarding the weapon systems that can be carried by the “Marineon” helicopter in the complete MOH configuration, it is subject to customer’s choice.

In essence, the “Marineon” MOH can be equipped with air-to-ground guided missiles, air-to-air guided missiles, torpedoes, Gatling Guns, heavy machine guns, and more.

As for sensor systems, the helicopter can be equipped with Sonarbuoy, Electronic Support Measure (ESM), Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR), Search Radar, and more.

For Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) purposes, the “Marineon” MOH can be equipped with a “dipping sonar” to detect the presence of enemy submarines.

Key features of the “Marineon” helicopter include foldable rotor blades for ease of operation on the landing platform, anti-corrosion treatment, a windshield washer system, long-range HF radio, TACAN, and an auxiliary fuel tank system.

The main specifications of KAI’s helicopter are its ability to reach a speed of 142 knots, a maximum take-off gross weight of 19,200 pounds, a power of 1,855shp x 2, and the capacity to carry 13 passengers, including two pilots.

In an interview with the local newspaper last year, the then Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob stated that only four Super Lynx Mk300 helicopters are currently operational.

He mentioned, “The RMN now operates four out of six (helicopters) for maritime operations to support fleet operations and training needs. The other two are placed under Long-Term Storage (LTS) due to the lack of logistical support for the aircraft.”

He also stated that the Super Lynx Mk300 helicopters will be replaced, which will undoubtedly enhance the RMN’s aerial capabilities for specific operations.

In terms of procurement, Admiral Abdul Rahman mentioned that there is a possibility that the navy may acquire the helicopters through a leasing method when the Super Lynx Mk300 helicopter’s service, which is currently 20 years old, is phased out.

The Super Lynx helicopter was developed by Augusta Westland (formerly known as GKN Westland Helicopter). — DSA