Malaysian Army leases Black Hawk helicopters
US Army Black Hawk helicopters train in Malaysia during a bilateral Exercise Keris Strike. (Photo: USARPAC)
Malaysia is leasing a quartet of Black Hawks, giving the army its first taste of operating the American-built helicopter.
The Malaysian Army is reviving its tactical helicopter capability by signing an MYR187 million ($40.84 million) contract with domestic company Aerotree Defence and Services at LIMA 2023.
The 25 May deal will see four UH-60A+ Black Hawks leased for five years.
The Malaysian Army Air Corps’ 882 Regiment previously operated S-61A helicopters transferred from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). Twelve S-61As were to have been acquired, but the transfer was still ongoing when a fleet-wide grounding was issued following an emergency landing by an RMAF S-61 in August 2019.
The RMAF then announced in January 2020 that it would phase
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
Optimism remains for GCAP and FCAS future despite programme stumbling blocks
Both sixth-generation combat aircraft programmes are still awaiting major key decisions from respective governments with regards to funding or future direction, but industry and governmental officials remain optimistic of progress going forward.
-
SOF Week 2026: US Army to conduct trials with Mountain Horse’s containerised drone launcher
The Mountain Horse Containerised Autonomous Drone Delivery System has been engineered for dispersed, forward UAV operations. It can store, protect, charge, launch and recover drones.
-
SOF Week 2026: AFSOC unveils deployable Block II OA-1K Skyraider II
AFSOC has revealed a new Block II variant of the OA-1K Skyraider II featuring rapid deployment and reassembly capabilities designed to support expeditionary special operations missions.
-
British Army's Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system
The UK MoD said it would narrow down the competitors from four to two later in the year, with those selected going on to develop the prototype drone that will operate as loyal wingman to the British Army’s Apache AH-64E helicopters.
