“Revolutionizing the Skies: Leonardo and Weststar Unveil Ambitious Helicopter Expansion Initiative in Malaysia”

At the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition – LIMA, Leonardo and its long-time collaborator Weststar Aviation Services (Weststar) of Malaysia commemorated today the initiation of the most substantial Government helicopter fleet enhancement and modernization initiative ever undertaken by the manufacturer in the nation, aimed at fulfilling a broad spectrum of national needs for defense, safety, and community support. Under this initiative, Weststar anticipates the delivery of up to 28 helicopters of diverse types, combining firm commitments and options, predominantly between 2026 and 2027. Weststar will lease these aircraft to the Malaysian Government for a period of 15 years, providing dedicated localized support and training services to the operator.

This initiative signifies a considerable expansion of Leonardo Helicopters’ footprint among several Malaysian military, homeland security, and public service entities. It encompasses various models for the Royal Malaysian Police and Bomba for law enforcement, utility, transport, firefighting, EMS/SAR, and emergency response missions. Among the various configurations, the initiative also includes AW149 helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Army, intended for Combat Search and Rescue and utility roles, denoting the arrival of the latest generation of multirole military helicopters in Malaysia, further enhancing the acceptance of the model among defense operators in the global arena.

Leonardo persists in fortifying its role within the Malaysian helicopter sector. The company’s vision is to establish the nation at the heart of its growth strategy and as a regional leader in rotorcraft and enhanced capabilities within the aerospace domain. Drawing from a long-established presence and alliances with Malaysian entities, Leonardo is reinforcing its dedication through investments, localizing further industrial undertakings, and fostering avenues for innovation.

With a regional hub for customer assistance and training located near Kuala Lumpur, Leonardo is the sole helicopter Training Academy outside its primary markets. Over the years, Leonardo has witnessed hundreds of helicopters undertake missions such as utility, homeland security, law enforcement, SAR, emergency medical services, maritime patrol, military naval engagements, armed reconnaissance, offshore operations, and passenger transport. Currently, Leonardo serves upwards of 70 operators in Malaysia, utilizing over 240 helicopters, collectively accumulating more than 40,000 flight hours annually. Over the past decade, the number of locally trained students has more than doubled, totaling hundreds and accumulating several thousand simulation flight hours each year. This positions Malaysia as one of the most dynamic operational bases globally, illustrating the country’s strategic significance for the development of highly skilled professionals.

Leonardo is poised to further broaden its localized industrial operations in Malaysia with new and advanced simulation and training capabilities, including additional Full-Flight Simulators and Interactive Trainers for helicopter operations. The organization also intends to upgrade or establish MRO infrastructures for advanced blade repair, electronic systems servicing, and mission system integration, elevating Malaysia’s role as an international support hub for Leonardo.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with our established ally Weststar to fulfill this crucial requirement established by the Malaysian Government to enhance rotorcraft capabilities that will benefit national defense and security as well as local communities,” stated Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters. “This recent initiative builds on the strong presence and the investments made over many years by Leonardo in the country, illustrating our ability to be a trusted partner for essential security and life-saving missions, in addition to supporting the local economy and employment opportunities. Proximity, Innovation, and professional competencies are vital drivers of success. Hence, Malaysia continues to be a pivotal hub for us to serve this nation and the broader region, and we are dedicated to collaborating with its authorities to ensure our technologies and services perform optimally.”