Black Hawk helicopters for Malaysia

On 27 May 2023, the Malaysian Ministry of Defence signed a leasing arrangement with local air services provider Aerotree for the supply of four second-hand Sikorsky UH-60A+ Black Hawk helicopters to be used by the Tentera Darat Malaysia (TDM, Malaysian Army Aviation).

The contract was signed at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) 2023 exhibition. The value of the contract is USD 40 million and is part of a USD3,3 billion overhaul programme of Malaysia’s armed forces.

The TDM has three operational squadrons, 881 Squadron, 882 Squadron and 883 Squadron, which are equipped with helicopters in the liaison (Agusta A109LOH) and light attack roles (MD530G).

The transport squadron, 882sq, retired its Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri transport helicopters in 2020, a move which has left it short of airlift capability. The UH-60A+ Black Hawks will succeed the S-61A-4. It is reported that the four Black Hawks are only stop-gap measures as the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MoD) looks for a more permanent solution.

Photo (just illustrative UH-60A) by Ton van Bakel (Scramble Archive)