RMN to Acquire ASW Helicopters to Replace Super Lynx under 13th Malaysia Plan

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence has registered the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopter procurement program for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), set to begin in 2026.

This initiative aims to replace the ageing fleet of Super Lynx Mk300 helicopters.

Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that the acquisition of the ASW helicopters aligns with the RMN’s “15 to 5 Transformation Plan.”

“The RMN is currently planning the procurement of new combat helicopters to replace the Super Lynx under the ASW helicopter acquisition program, which has been registered under RMK13,” he said in response to a question from Commander Nordin Ahmad Ismail (Lumut) during Monday’s Dewan Rakyat session.

Recently, industry sources revealed to Defence Security Asia that the RMN has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure six ASW helicopters.

This marks the first step in replacing the existing Super Lynx Mk300 fleet, of which only four remain operational.

The RMN has long intended to replace the six Super Lynx Mk300 helicopters acquired from Augusta Westland (formerly GKN Westland Helicopters) in 2003. With the fleet now 21 years old, the RMN seeks to modernize its capabilities.

According to industry sources, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has expressed interest in supplying ASW helicopters to the RMN.

KAI is expected to promote the Marineon Marine Operation Helicopter (MOH), a naval variant of its Surion helicopter, which is widely used across the branches of South Korea’s military.

The Marineon/Surion combines advanced technologies derived from the operation of American and European helicopters and is built on proven platforms and systems already available in the market.

The Marineon MOH can be armed with air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, torpedoes, Gatling guns, heavy machine guns, and other weapons.

For sensor systems, it can be equipped with sonar buoys, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), search radars, and, for ASW operations, a dipping sonar to detect enemy submarines.

Another potential competitor for the RMN’s ASW fleet renewal is the AW159 Wildcat, developed by Leonardo.

Meanwhile, the Defence Minister confirmed that the AW139 Maritime Operation Helicopters (HOM) and Fennec helicopters that were not involved in accidents have resumed normal operations.

“Based on the operational status and logistic support from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the Ministry of Defence expects the Fennec helicopters to remain operational until 2030,” Mohamed Khaled said.

He also mentioned that the RMN is considering leasing additional AW139 helicopters to meet operational needs. – DSA