Langkawi, 27 March 2018 – The
Airbus C295 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), as well as the
company’s coastal and land
surveillance solutions, offer the best options for Malaysia’s
requirements, said Johan
Pelissier, Head of Airbus Defence and Space, South East Asia.
Speaking to reporters today at
a media briefing during LIMA 2019, Mr Pelissier said that Airbus will
respond to a maritime patrol aircraft request for information (RFI) issued
by Malaysia.
“Recent comments by senior
officials indicate that maritime patrol aircraft are now a priority due to
Malaysia’s strategic environment as a maritime nation, and a need to beef
up the country’s surveillance and security capability and have better
situation awareness,” he added.
“The C295 MPA represents the
best combination of value and capability for Malaysia. It offers the lowest
risks, given that it is not a concept aircraft that is unproven in
service. It also has the best acquisition, operating and life-cycle costs in
its category.”
The aircraft features a modern
mission system and comprehensive sensor suites, which the company developed
in-house. This presents lower risks compared to aircraft that incorporate
crucial third-party systems. Maintenance costs are three times lower than
other comparable platforms, and it is also six times more fuel efficient
than jet aircraft.
The C295 MPA is also in
service on maritime patrol and surveillance mission with operators in
Brazil, Chile, Oman, and
Portugal. Canada has also ordered the platform. This makes it the only
maritime patrol aircraft in its category that is in service today.
For broader coastal
surveillance requirements, Airbus could tailor a comprehensive solution
that combines products and services across the company’s cutting-edge
portfolio.
“Such a comprehensive solution
would meet the needs of multiple national agencies. It could
include manned and unmanned
aircraft, helicopters, satellite imagery, intelligence systems,
and data analytics. It could
also be designed and implemented in-country,” said Mr Pelissier.
In the Space segment, Airbus
offers everything from the smallest electronic parts to very
high-resolution Earth
observation instruments and today’s most reliable communication satellites.
Malaysia is an existing
customer with MEASAT-3b, the largest satellite ordered by the country’s
communications sector, which
Airbus manufactured and launched in 2014. The company has also partnered
the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), which is equipped with a
direct
receiving station and receives
imagery from the Airbus constellation of Earth observation satellites.
“Our Earth observation
satellites provide imagery that support national security, disaster
preparedness and management,
and climate change. Our satellites also meet a wide range of
civil and military secure communications requirements. In short, Airbus delivers
the best value in Space,” said Mr Pelissier.
Airbus is the largest
international exhibitor at LIMA 2019, reflecting both its long-standing
relationships with Malaysian
customers and the enduring partnerships that the company has
with the country’s aerospace
industry.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force
(RMAF) is the first export customer for the Airbus A400M
tactical airlifter, and a
highly successful operator of this new-generation transport platform.
The aircraft have proven
especially valuable in the numerous humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
(HADR) operations that the RMAF has undertaken around the region.
“The A400M one of the most
visible symbols of Airbus’ successful relationship with Malaysia,”
said Mr Pelissier. “The
humanitarian missions have allowed Malaysia to help its neighbours at
their time of great need.
Airbus is proud to have partnered the RMAF in many of them.”
Malacca-based CTRM
manufactures various parts of the A400M, while local maintenance, repair and
overhaul (MRO) firm Sepang Aircraft Engineering provides
material and technical
support for the airlifters. Airbus is also building up the RMAF’s expertise
on the A400M, and gradually transferring support activity to a local
workforce.
“Airbus is committed to
helping Malaysia meet its requirements, and to supporting your country’s aerospace
industry,” said Mr Pelissier.
No comments:
Post a Comment