Kuala Lumpur: The leasing of 28 helicopters for various national security agencies was conducted in an orderly manner based on necessity, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said today. Mohamed Khaled stated that the approach was advantageous and necessary, as discussed during the Budget 2025 debate (Policy Stage). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also addressed the helicopter leasing during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on November 28, 2024.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamed Khaled plans to further elaborate and respond to questions regarding this matter during his ministry’s winding-up session for the debate, scheduled for February 20. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin recently demanded an explanation from the government concerning the 15-year, RM16 billion contract for leasing helicopters intended for national security forces.

Previously, Mohamed Khaled mentioned in his winding-up speech on the 2025 Supply Bill that the government would lease 28 helicopters under the RM16 billion contract for 15 years. The lease arrangement includes allocations for several agencies: 12 helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force, seven for the Royal Malaysia Police, two each for the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Fire and Rescue Department, and four for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.