SUBANG JAYA, May 12 — European helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter hopes the Malaysian government will commit to purchasing 12 units of its Cougar EC725 before mid-August this year to enable faster production and delivery.
Its president and chief executive officer Lutz Bertling said today this was because the EC725 has become a fast-selling model and that any commitment after the offer period would result in the delayed delivery of the helicopters as replacements for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Nuri fleet.
“If the government signs up during the current offer period, then the first delivery will be made by 2011. We hope the Malaysian government will be able to sign the contract or at least a binding letter of agreement to start production,” he said at a media briefing here.
Bertling said Eurocopter needs to be selective, as there are many potential buyers favouring the EC725. “The tactical discussions are considerably finalised. We are waiting for the government to call for commercial negotiations,” he said.
“This model sells well. When the offer expires, we need to see if we can have the same slot for production for Malaysia,” he added.
According to Bertling, the EC725 has been proven in combat as evidenced in Lebanon and Afghanistan, where the helicopter was used extensively.
Last year, the government approved the RM1.7 billion purchase of the 12 EC725 units but this was later deferred by then-Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, until the economy improved.
The savings from the postponement were channelled to other public programmes that provided higher trickle-down benefits to the people. — BERNAMA
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