(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) celebrated yet another milestone with its H225M fleet (known locally as EC725 Caracal) achieving 30,000 flight hours – one of the highest in Asia-Pacific.
The event held at RMAF’s Labuan Air Base was attended by RMAF chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan bin Goriman Khan TUDM.
Also present were Burhanudin (Burhan) Noordin Ali, Airbus Chief Representative for Malaysia, and Axel de Pascal, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Malaysia.
Congratulating the airforce at the event, de Pascal said “Airbus is proud of how the H225M fleet has served the Royal Malaysian Air Force effectively and efficiently over the last decade, playing a critical role to all its strategic and tactical missions.”
“We are very honoured to join the airforce in celebrating such an important flight milestone underscoring the significance of this asset to RMAF’s operations.”
de Pascal presented Mohd Asghar Khan with the award to commemorate this milestone.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s H225M pilots who have achieved 2,000, 1,500, 1,000 and 500 flight hours respectively on the H225M helicopter were also presented with flight hour achievement awards.
The event also marked the first successful installation of an enhanced main gear box (eMGB) outside of Europe on one of RMAF’s H225M helicopters.
The eMGB will provide an improved mechanical system, and an innovative monitoring feature that reduces the maintenance workload of the H225M fleet.
The RMAF’s fleet of 12 H225M helicopters has been in service since 2012.
Designed for the most demanding missions, these combat-proven multi-role H225Ms have participated in various exercises and humanitarian missions, including flood rescue and lifesaving operations.
A combat-proven multi-purpose and versatile asset, the H225M enables military forces to deploy wherever and whenever needed.
Currently, 170 H225Ms are in service across the world. Over 200 Super Puma family helicopters are currently operating in the Asia-Pacific region.
Besides Malaysia, the H225M is relied upon by Brazil, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, and Kuwait to support their most demanding missions. — DSA