Nuri to soldier on with upgrades
27 March 2013 Wednesday | 12:49AM

LANGKAWI: The Royal Malaysian Air Force Nuri helicopters will go through another upgrade to extend their operational lifespan.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday that the Sikorsky S-61A helicopters were workhorses which had served the armed forces in various capacities for nearly 50 years and could still do the job.

However, he said, some of the Nuris would be handed over to the army while others might be sold to other developing countries or traded in for assets.

"We have received offers from several countries. As we know, the Nuri is a workhorse that has remained operational even after (more than) 40 years.

"And it can still be used further. The gearbox, for example, will be upgraded so that it can be utilised for another 20 years," he said at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2013 exhibition.

Other upgrades, said Zahid, include moving from a four-blade to a five-blade rotor, and installing a digital cockpit.

He said the upgrades were part of the ministry's holistic approach to improve and upgrade existing military assets, including those to be deployed in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone).

"The ministry has also identified additional assets to be purchased in order to strengthen the existing defence capabilities in Esszone."

Zahid said the new assets would be deployed not only by the army, but the RMAF, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

On Lima '13, he said as of 3pm yesterday, the event had had attracted some 12,900 trade visitors.

http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/nuri-...grades-1.242622