With so many 'Nuri' helicopters
falling from the sky over the last five years, the Malaysian
Defense Ministry is now more firm to stop the continuing loss of
lives by calling for bids for its replacement.
Surprisingly the retired MAF Chief prefer to continue flying the
'Nuri' - perhaps preferring to use the defense budget for the Army
instead.
New Straits Times has reported some replacement
possibilities.
The contenders for Nuri's
replacement
By K.S. USHA DEVI and MAZLINDA MAHMOOD
28 November, 2007
With Malaysia now looking to replace the ageing fleet of Nuri
helicopters, many manufacturers will be knocking at the doors of
the Royal Malaysian Air Force. K.S. USHA DEVI and MAZLINDA MAHMOOD
speak to a retired general and several defence experts to find out
what their favourite would be. THE verdict is in. The Nuri is
out.
And, although former army field commander Lt-Gen (R) Datuk Seri
Mohd Zaini Mohd Said would like the Nuri to stay on, the government
has decided otherwise.
Of the three other defence experts the New Sunday Times spoke to,
two had the AgustaWestland EH-101 Merlin as their pick.
Defence and security analyst Dzirhan Mahadzir believes the Merlin
should be chosen as it is versatile and has a good technical
record.
Asian Defence Journal editor M. Ghazemy Mahmud says the Merlin
would be ideal because of Malaysias need for multi-role
helicopters.
Ghazemy, however, is torn between the Merlin and the NH Industries
NH-90, which he says would also be ideal for the Royal Malaysian
Air Force.
Terrorism expert Andrin Raj has the Russian-made Mi-17 as his
favourite.
The Eurocopter and NH Industries models may not be suitable for
Malaysian weather, Raj says, but the Mi-17 would be ideal as it has
been tried and tested by the Fire and Rescue Department.
They all agreed on two things: Competition would be fierce for the
contract to supply the RMAF with helicopters to replace the Nuri,
and that the government should go for state-of-the-art
aircraft.
They (the RMAF and government) have their work cut out for them as
there are many models in the market that could be good replacements
for the Nuri, says Ghazemy.
Among the helicopters he listed were the Eurocopter EC725 Cougar,
Sikorsky S-92 Superhawk and UH60 Black Hawk, the Mi-17, and the
Boeing CH-47 Chinook.
Zaini listed the Sea Hawk (naval version of the Black Hawk), the
Mi-17, NH-90 and Merlin as possible replacements for the
Nuri.
Dzirhan had, as his second choices, the NH-90, the Chinook and the
Cougar.
Top picks:
AGUSTAWESTLAND EH-101 MERLIN (UK)
The EH-101 has all of the important features: A reasonably-sized
cabin, a rear ramp, and can hoist a fair load from its cargo hook.
The advantage of the EH-101 is its third engine the spare
engine can be shut down for fuel economy or spooled up when extra
power is needed.
Length (overall): 19.53m
Rotor diameters: 18.60m (main rotor), 4m (tail rotor)
Weights: max all-up (ext. load) 14,600kg, 4,535kg hoist
Performance: speed 309 kph, range 900km, ceiling 4,572m
Powerplant: 3 x 1275kW (1700shp) GE CT-7 turboshafts
NH INDUSTRIES NH-90 (EUROPE)
The NH-90 is an advanced medium utility helicopter, capable of
undertaking a wide variety of roles. It was developed to meet a
European requirement to replace a range of ageing helicopters. The
NH-90 is a product of more than 10 years of development and testing
to meet stringent capability and low maintenance requirements. The
NH-90 can carry up to 12 fully equipped or 19 lightly equipped
soldiers. It can also lift an Army Light Operational Vehicle.
Length (overall): 16.11m
Rotor diameters: 16.3m (main rotor)
Weights: max all-up (ext. load) 9,100kg
Performance: speed 300 kph, range 1,204km
Powerplant: Two RTM 322-01/3 turboshafts
KAZAN Mi-17 (RUSSIA)
The Mi-17 can carry a wide range of guns, guided and unguided
missiles, and bombs up to 500kg. Machine guns are situated in
flexible mounts in the co.ckpit and at the rear door. Cabin windows
are equipped with eight gun-pilot units to enable troopers to fire
during flight. Armour protection from small arms fire is provided
for the co.ckpit, the pilots' seats, the gunners' floor, and the
hydraulic unit.
Length (overall): 18.42m
Rotor diameters: 21.29m (main rotor)
Cabin/hold size: 5.34m L x 2.34m W x 1.8m H
Weights: max all-up (ext. load) 13,000kg
Performance: speed 250 kph, range 715km, ceiling
5,000m
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