KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces are expected to receive six MD530G helicopters in stages beginning next June, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
However, he said the assets needed to undergo evaluation tests and meet the armed forces’ criteria before they could be accepted.
An armed forces team left for the US yesterday to carry out the tests, he said on Bernama TV’s programme “Ruang Bicara: Budget 2021” last night.
Another team would leave for the US to carry out the certification process if the helicopters were found suitable for the armed forces.
Ismail, who is also the defence minister, said the ministry was applying to the Public Service Department to increase the number of armed forces personnel, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.