The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) received the first of 28 helicopters on 4 November 2026, leased by the government from Weststar Aviation Sdn Bhd. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the arrangement is expected to save the government about RM3 billion compared with traditional procurement.
Nga officiated the handover and operational launch of the Leonardo AW139 on Wednesday. It is the first aircraft to enter service under the Government Helicopter Leasing Concession Agreement, which was signed in December 2024 and took effect on 16 June 2025.
Under the agreement, Weststar will supply 28 helicopters to government agencies over three years. The concession covers 15 years. Nga said the concessionaire is responsible for maintaining the aircraft throughout that period, which reduces the government’s direct maintenance burden.
Under traditional procurement, a government buys aircraft outright, paying the full price up front. It then arranges and funds maintenance, spare parts and technical support separately, often for decades. Under the Government Helicopter Leasing Concession, the government instead pays to use the helicopters. Weststar Aviation Sdn Bhd supplies the aircraft and is responsible for providing, maintaining and supporting them for the 15-year concession period.
According to Weststar, the main benefits to agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department are access to modern aircraft without a large upfront capital outlay, and a single integrated arrangement covering the helicopters’ provision, maintenance and support. The company said this is intended to keep the aircraft mission-ready, with a high level of operational availability, for search and rescue, firefighting and medical evacuation.
The helicopter has passed a Pre-Delivery Inspection and a Final Acceptance Test conducted by Weststar and JBPM. JBPM will use the AW139 for search and rescue, firefighting, medical evacuation, transporting patients and remains, and logistical support during disasters.
A second AW139 for JBPM is due in Malaysia by the end of November. Operational deployment is targeted for mid-December, ahead of the peak monsoon season.
The concession will serve agencies across defence, security, law enforcement, firefighting and emergency response.
Gen. Tan Sri Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin, chief executive of Weststar Aviation, said the aircraft are “essential operational resources that can make a critical difference when lives are at stake.”
“The Government’s trust in Weststar is not merely a contractual commitment; it is a responsibility that we take very seriously. We recognise that these helicopters are more than aviation assets. They are essential operational resources that can make a critical difference when lives are at stake. From the signing of the agreement to the operational deployment of the first helicopter in approximately 11 months, this achievement reflects the collective commitment and close coordination between the Government, JBPM, Leonardo Helicopters and our teams at Weststar. We remain committed to delivering safe, reliable and mission-ready aircraft, supported by a high level of operational availability, to ensure that the agencies entrusted with protecting the public have the capabilities they need”
Gen. Tan Sri Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin, chief executive of Weststar Aviation
Officials attending included Italian Ambassador Raffaele Langella, JBPM Director-General Nor Hisham Mohammad, and Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) Director-General Muhammad Razman Abu Samah. Weststar Group Managing Director Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim was also present. Weststar said the delivery involved Leonardo Helicopters, the National Security Council, UKAS and JBPM, with support from AIROD Sdn Bhd.
Photos by JBPM.
