First Royal Malaysian Navy AW139s officially commissioned
On 1 July 2022, the first two Leonardo AW139 maritime utility helicopter (MUH) for the Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM, Royal Malaysian Navy) were officially commissioned.
In September 2021, Scramble Magazine reported on the first TLDM AW139 seen during a test flight in Italy. The mentioned delivery schedule has drastically changed.
The new AW139s, serials M503-1 and M503-2, will be operated by 503 Skuadron at the new Kota Kinabalu Air Station, which is part of the Sepanggar naval base. The new air station also hosts 601 UAS Squadron, operating a fleet of twelve Boeing ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
The new helicopter squadron will monitor the Malaysian Maritime Zone around Sabah and Sarawak. They will also be used for Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) missions, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
A third AW139 is expected to be delivered in September 2022.
Photo via TLDM