KUALA LUMPUR: The maritime security preparedness could be alleviated following the procurement of four Agusta Westland AW189 helicopters.

Acting Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director-general Vice Admiral Datuk Saiful Lizan Ibrahim said the procurement was possible following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Home Ministry and Galaxy Aerospace (M) Sdn Bhd on Wednesday (May 8).

"The procurement of the helicopters will be able to meet our needs to step up air monitoring, as well as longer distance and duration for our search and rescue operations.

"Currently, we have two AW139 helicopters, three AS365 N3 Dauphin helicopters and a Bombardier CL-415 MP aircraft," he said after witnessing the signing ceremony held during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) 2024 event.

Saiful said the helicopters, which were worth RM530mil, were chosen as it has a main transmission capability to operate with fuel for 50 minutes, as well as an additional power unit.

"We expect the helicopters to be handed over to the MMEA around next year or 2026 and it will be placed in Sandakan," he said.