LANGKAWI, March 18 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak spent some time Tuesday viewing the Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft, the latest asset of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA’15) Exhibition here.
He stopped over during a tour of the LIMA static display of various aeroplanes and helicopters on the tarmac of the Langkawi International Airport.
Najib, who flew in to the island this morning to open LIMA’15, signed a special commemorative plaque in conjunction with his visit to see the latest military asset the nation took delivery last week.
The prime minister, accompanied by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, was briefed on the aircraft by RMAF commander Datuk Seri Roslan Saad and senior officers of the manufacturer, Airbus Defence.
Malaysia has ordered four of the transport aircraft from Airbus Defence.
Najib also had close look at the Gatling gun installed on the Agusta A-109 helicopter owned by the Malaysian Army air wing.
The Gatling gun, which is also installed on RMAF Nuri helicopters, is one of the measures adopted to strengthen the nation’s defence system in the north-east of Sabah, particularly Lahad Datu and Semporna, as announced by Hishammuddin recently.
The prime minister also stopped by at the ‘August 1st’ aerobatic team from China which is on its maiden participation in LIMA.
LIMA’15 is the second overseas destination for August 1st after the MAKS 2013 exhibition in Russia.
Najib also went to Resorts World Langkawi to view the ‘Perwira’ Bay class patrol boat owned by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
He was accompanied by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and MMEA director-general Admiral (Maritime) Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish.
MMEA had officially taken delivery of the boat from Australia in February to step up maritime security, particularly in the Strait of Melaka.
The boat was donated by Australia to enable MMEA to combat trafficking of people, including those headed to Australia illegally by sea.
– BERNAMA
