Latest news with #Aerotree
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Reveal value of airbase calibration job, says MP
Former deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz also urged the defence ministry to disclose if any penalty had been imposed on the company that failed to deliver four Black Hawk helicopters. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A former deputy defence minister has called on the government to reveal the value of a new contract awarded to a firm which failed to supply four Black Hawk helicopters for the military last year. Tanah Merah MP Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz said the defence ministry should explain the rationale for awarding the contract involving three military air bases to Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd. Ikmal said, if true, it would be an 'unhealthy' culture in terms of defence asset procurement. 'The government must reveal the value of the contract in line with the principle of transparency. All the more since this is the same company that failed to supply the much-needed Black Hawk helicopters,' the Bersatu MP told FMT. On Wednesday, FMT reported that Aerotree had been awarded a contract to calibrate the instrument landing system equipment for fixed-wing aircraft at three military air bases. This came eight months after the defence ministry cancelled a RM187 million Black Hawk lease contract it signed with the firm after it failed to deliver the aircraft despite three date revisions. The four helicopters, leased for five years, were intended to serve as a platform for the army's Air Team Nucleus, supporting both training and operational flight missions. Ikmal, who chairs Perikatan Nasional's defence bureau, urged the defence ministry to disclose if any penalty had been imposed on the company for failing to deliver the helicopters. He said the public deserved to know the company's track record in military procurement and defence facility development, especially in light of its failure in the previous deal. FMT has reached out to the defence ministry for comment.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Firm in Black Hawk fiasco awarded military airbase calibration job, say sources
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: K Parkaran, FMT Text Size: Last November, the defence ministry cancelled a lease of four Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters from Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd after the company failed to deliver the aircraft. (Aerotree Defence and Services pic) PETALING JAYA: Questions have been raised over the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) decision to award a new contract to a company which failed to deliver four Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters barely eight months ago. According to a letter, Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd was awarded a contract to calibrate the instrument landing system equipment for fixed-wing aircraft at three military air bases recently. Last November, the defence ministry cancelled a RM187 million Black Hawk lease contract it signed with Aerotree after the company failed to deliver the aircraft despite three date revisions. The four helicopters, leased for five years, were intended to serve as a platform for the army's Air Team Nucleus, supporting both training and operational flight missions. One source expressed 'shock' upon learning of the award, barely eight months after the Black Hawk 'fiasco'. Advertisement 'The defence ministry must explain how this is possible as we understand that another firm was initially awarded the calibration contract but lost it suddenly,' the source told FMT. FMT is withholding the name of the second company, pending a comment. Seven months ago, defence minister Khaled Nordin said the government's deal with Aerotree was called off after the company failed to meet its October delivery deadline. FMT has reached out to Aerotree CEO Halim Othman and RMAF for comment. Foreign-registered aircraft and crew Meanwhile, another source questioned the identity of the aircraft and air crew attending to the calibration of airfields at Labuan, Butterworth and Gong Kedak. The source also questioned whether Aerotree or the UK-based calibration company were in possession of a Malaysian air operation certificate (AOC) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). He said RMAF was obliged to clarify the matter, including whether the air crew possess valid work permits to carry out the work in the country. According to the source, the assurances sought were necessary as the entry and exit of foreigners from Malaysian air bases would pose a security risk. He claimed the calibration flights started on June 16 and are expected to be completed by today. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
24-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Aerotree Introduces Malaysia's First Cargo Drone, Targeting Logistics, Defence Sectors
GENERAL By Nazira Hasanah Nasaruddin LANGKAWI, May 24 (Bernama) -- In a move to enhance Malaysia's logistics and defence capabilities, local company, Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd (Aerotree) unveiled the DJI Flycart 30, the country's first cargo drone, at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25). Aerotree Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) project director Mohd Aizat Mohd Aris said the drone is designed to carry a load of up to 30 kilogrammes, providing an efficient and competitive solution for logistics delivery. 'The idea to develop this cargo drone originated from Aerotree president and chief executive officer Datuk Halim Othman during the COVID-19 pandemic, when logistical challenges and movement restrictions affected all sectors,' he said. 'Following that, research and development were conducted with the expertise of local engineers, including former military personnel and flight school graduates, supported by technology from China to produce the DJI Flycart 30,' he told Bernama here today. He added that the cargo drone is capable of medium-distance logistics deliveries up to 16 km, with a flight duration of approximately 30 minutes. It is also designed to withstand moderate weather conditions, featuring an IP55 rating for splash and dust resistance. The drone is intended for delivering goods to locations such as ports, military operation sites, and hard-to-reach areas, thereby reducing reliance on human labour. 'We have also engaged in discussions with the army regarding the need to deliver supplies to personnel in forest areas, which is a more cost-effective solution compared to using helicopters. In addition, our target market includes commercial delivery service companies. However, he noted that Aerotree is still awaiting full operational approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), as the drone must comply with safety regulations, altitude limits, operating range, and frequency usage to ensure it does not interfere with commercial aviation systems.
