Deftech to sign copter pact with Anglo-Italian firm
BY B.K. SIDHU
DRB-HICOM Bhd will sign a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Anglo-Italian helicopter company AgustaWestland today under which it will be appointed marketing agent for AgustaWestland helicopters, be it commercial or military, in Malaysia.
This relationship may lead to a logistics centre and perhaps even a training school being set up, but that could not be confirmed at press time yesterday.
The signing ceremony, in Putrajaya, will be witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. DRB-HICOM subsidiary DRB-Hicom Defense Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) will ink the MoA.
During last year抯 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition, the Government had announced it was buying 11 A109M light observation helicopters from AgustaWestland for RM286.3mil, with delivery expected 24 to 36 months from the contract date.
AgustaWestland has delivered to the Malaysian Navy five of six Super Lynx 300 MK 100 helicopters it bought for RM678mil; and to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department two A109 Power helicopters.
The deal with AgustaWestland entrenches Deftech more firmly in the aviation industry. Last August, Russia抯 JSC Scientific Production Corporation Irkut named Deftech exclusive sales agent for Malaysia and other South-East Asian countries for its Be-200 amphibious aircraft.
Deftech is deeply involved in the marketing and sales of military vehicles, associated equipment and spare parts, as well as in the repair, maintenance and refurbishment of vehicles.
It assembles and fabricates vehicles at its RM70mil plant in Pekan, Pahang, and is well known for is ACV300 Adnan tank ?Malaysia抯 first locally assembled armoured combat vehicle.
To meet the needs of the defence and aviation industry, Deftech has various partnerships with international manufacturers: with FNSS of Turkey for the Tracked APC/IFV (ACV 300); Iveco of Italy for heavy-duty military trucks; France抯 Giat Industries for the Caesar 155mm Artillery System; Raba of Hungary for special vehicle components; and State Enterprise 'Progress' of the Ukraine for its main battle tank, the T84.
With its base of manufacturers and product range, Deftect has indicated its intention to go regional.
BY B.K. SIDHU
DRB-HICOM Bhd will sign a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Anglo-Italian helicopter company AgustaWestland today under which it will be appointed marketing agent for AgustaWestland helicopters, be it commercial or military, in Malaysia.
This relationship may lead to a logistics centre and perhaps even a training school being set up, but that could not be confirmed at press time yesterday.
The signing ceremony, in Putrajaya, will be witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. DRB-HICOM subsidiary DRB-Hicom Defense Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) will ink the MoA.
During last year抯 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition, the Government had announced it was buying 11 A109M light observation helicopters from AgustaWestland for RM286.3mil, with delivery expected 24 to 36 months from the contract date.
AgustaWestland has delivered to the Malaysian Navy five of six Super Lynx 300 MK 100 helicopters it bought for RM678mil; and to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department two A109 Power helicopters.
The deal with AgustaWestland entrenches Deftech more firmly in the aviation industry. Last August, Russia抯 JSC Scientific Production Corporation Irkut named Deftech exclusive sales agent for Malaysia and other South-East Asian countries for its Be-200 amphibious aircraft.
Deftech is deeply involved in the marketing and sales of military vehicles, associated equipment and spare parts, as well as in the repair, maintenance and refurbishment of vehicles.
It assembles and fabricates vehicles at its RM70mil plant in Pekan, Pahang, and is well known for is ACV300 Adnan tank ?Malaysia抯 first locally assembled armoured combat vehicle.
To meet the needs of the defence and aviation industry, Deftech has various partnerships with international manufacturers: with FNSS of Turkey for the Tracked APC/IFV (ACV 300); Iveco of Italy for heavy-duty military trucks; France抯 Giat Industries for the Caesar 155mm Artillery System; Raba of Hungary for special vehicle components; and State Enterprise 'Progress' of the Ukraine for its main battle tank, the T84.
With its base of manufacturers and product range, Deftect has indicated its intention to go regional.