The Government announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent with Eurocopter to purchase the long-range multi-mission helicopter to replace its ageing helicopter fleet of Sikorsky S61-A4 Sea Kings, better known as the Nuri.
The replacement has taken on added urgency following the crash of a Nuri in mid-July 2007 that killed six servicemen, bringing the total number of casualties to 95 since the helicopter was introduced.
The Government had purchased 40 Nuris (Sikorsky S61 Sea King helicopter) in 1968 to provide logistic support for search and rescue (SAR) operation
Nuri pilots have reportedly live in fear of flying with Nuri helicopter and had voiced their concerns about flying with Nuri, fearing the safety of the aging helicopters and the risks on their lives.
The Government has a huge responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of the people serving and protecting the country. Let us hope that the Government expedite the procurement of Eurocopter. Until then our boys will have to face the danger.
It was reported that the Government had allocated US$600 million (RM1.93 billion) to buy an initial fleet of 12 helicopters, which will be in service until 2050.
The replacement has taken on added urgency following the crash of a Nuri in mid-July 2007 that killed six servicemen, bringing the total number of casualties to 95 since the helicopter was introduced.
The Government had purchased 40 Nuris (Sikorsky S61 Sea King helicopter) in 1968 to provide logistic support for search and rescue (SAR) operation
Nuri pilots have reportedly live in fear of flying with Nuri helicopter and had voiced their concerns about flying with Nuri, fearing the safety of the aging helicopters and the risks on their lives.
The Government has a huge responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of the people serving and protecting the country. Let us hope that the Government expedite the procurement of Eurocopter. Until then our boys will have to face the danger.
It was reported that the Government had allocated US$600 million (RM1.93 billion) to buy an initial fleet of 12 helicopters, which will be in service until 2050.
Chronology of Nuri crashes and near misses since 1969.
April 25, 1969 - First Nuri crash when four RMAF men were killed in Kuching, Sarawak.
March 11, 1972 - Another four men were killed in a crash in Gambang, Pahang.
April 26, 1976 - 11 crew and passengers were killed when a Nuri was brought down by communist fire in Gubir, Kedah.
July 19, 1980 - A Nuri crashed near Ipoh, Perak but 18 people survived.
April 25, 1981 - Two RMAF men were killed and 13 others escaped with injuries when a Nuri crashed near the Kuching Airport in Sarawak.
July 11, 1981 - A Nuri crashed near Batu Melintang, Perak. 11 people survived.
Nov 14, 1989 - 21 people perished in a crash between Gunung Gerah and Gunung Bilah on the Kelantan- Perak border.
Dec 18, 1989 - 16 men were killed in a crash near Sungai Lundu, Sarawak.
Aug 28, 1990 - 9 men training for Merdeka celebration survived an emergency landing near Rawang, Selangor.
Jan 16, 1991 - A Nuri from Sungai Besi to Kluang made an emergency landing in Kampung Parit Zin, Muar, Johor. 12 men cheated death.
June 10, 1991 - 6 men were killed when a Nuri crashed and exploded in Banding, Perak.
July 11, 1991 - 7 men were killed when a Nuri crashed during landing also in Banding, Perak.
Oct 16, 1996 - 2 men were killed when a Nuri crashed in Muka Head, Penang.
March 19, 1997 - 11 RMAF men were killed when two Nuris crashed near Gunung Lumaku, Sipitang in Sabah.
March 11, 1972 - Another four men were killed in a crash in Gambang, Pahang.
April 26, 1976 - 11 crew and passengers were killed when a Nuri was brought down by communist fire in Gubir, Kedah.
July 19, 1980 - A Nuri crashed near Ipoh, Perak but 18 people survived.
April 25, 1981 - Two RMAF men were killed and 13 others escaped with injuries when a Nuri crashed near the Kuching Airport in Sarawak.
July 11, 1981 - A Nuri crashed near Batu Melintang, Perak. 11 people survived.
Nov 14, 1989 - 21 people perished in a crash between Gunung Gerah and Gunung Bilah on the Kelantan- Perak border.
Dec 18, 1989 - 16 men were killed in a crash near Sungai Lundu, Sarawak.
Aug 28, 1990 - 9 men training for Merdeka celebration survived an emergency landing near Rawang, Selangor.
Jan 16, 1991 - A Nuri from Sungai Besi to Kluang made an emergency landing in Kampung Parit Zin, Muar, Johor. 12 men cheated death.
June 10, 1991 - 6 men were killed when a Nuri crashed and exploded in Banding, Perak.
July 11, 1991 - 7 men were killed when a Nuri crashed during landing also in Banding, Perak.
Oct 16, 1996 - 2 men were killed when a Nuri crashed in Muka Head, Penang.
March 19, 1997 - 11 RMAF men were killed when two Nuris crashed near Gunung Lumaku, Sipitang in Sabah.
March 5, 2004 - 2 men were killed in a crash in Taman Udara, Butterworth.
March 30, 2004 - 3 pilots survived an emergency landing in Bukit Kalam near Labuan, Sabah.
Aug 15, 2004 - 3 men were killed in a crash at Long Seridan, Sarawak.
July 13, 2007 - 6 RMAF personnel perished when a Nuri crashed at Genting Sempah, Pahang. Their bodies were recovered four days later.
March 30, 2004 - 3 pilots survived an emergency landing in Bukit Kalam near Labuan, Sabah.
Aug 15, 2004 - 3 men were killed in a crash at Long Seridan, Sarawak.
July 13, 2007 - 6 RMAF personnel perished when a Nuri crashed at Genting Sempah, Pahang. Their bodies were recovered four days later.
The Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar is a long-range multi-mission helicopter.
The helicopter is marketed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, and combat search and rescue duties.
The helicopter can accommodate 2 crew members and up to 29 troops, for a total seating capacity of 31.
Watch flight demonstration of Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar
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