LIMA 2023: Honeywell supporting RMAF bid to sustain ageing aircraft

The Royal Malaysian Air Force is sustaining the operations of its BAE Systems Hawk fleet through component repairs. Some of the older Hawks have been in RMAF service since 1994. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)

As the Malaysian Armed Forces struggles with a problem of ageing aircraft, Honeywell said it is offering fleet sustainment solutions in partnership with local industries.

According to Honeywell, it is currently providing support to Malaysian partners to repair components of BAE Systems Hawk aircraft, which are in service with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). In addition, the company told Janes that it is also working with local partners in Malaysia to offer upgrade solutions for the RMAF's Lockheed Martin C-130 fleet and Leonardo AW139 helicopters in military service.

According to Janes data, the RMAF operates 18 Hawk Mk 208s, 10 Hawk Mk 108s, and six C-130H-30s. The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) operates three AW139s. The RMAF has several AW139s on lease.

Sathesh Ramiah, vice-president for APAC Defense Aerospace at Honeywell, told Janes that these upgrades are intended to improve the RMAF's fleet sustainment and aircraft availability. Ramiah was speaking to Janes during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2023 in Malaysia. The exhibition is being held from 23 to 27 May.

Janes understands that Honeywell is supporting Malaysian partner companies to offer a full suite of avionics upgrades for the RMAF's C-130 fleet. “This includes a full glass cockpit, cockpit-based avionics, and communications,” Ramiah said.

The RMAF's C-130 upgrade programme is currently in the request for information (RFI) phase, Ramiah added.