NST Online * LIMA 2009
Contracts worth RM3.5 billion signed
By Leslie Andres
lesliea@nst.com.my
LANGKAWI: More than RM3.5 billion worth of contracts were signed yesterday at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition 2009 (Lima '09).
Several memorandums of understanding were also inked in a busy day at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who witnessed most of the signings. The contracts included five signed by SME Aerospace Sdn Bhd. They are:
* seven-year contract extension with Spirit Aerosystems (Europe) Ltd (from 2011-2017) to manufacture Airbus A320 machines and sheet metal detail parts and assemblies (value not revealed);
* five-year contract extension with Spirit Aerosystems (from 2010-2014) to manufacture Boeing B777 machined and sheet metal detail parts and assemblies (value not revealed);
* contract with Spirit Aerosystems beginning with two work packages to enable other work packages to supply Airbus A350 machined and sheet metal detail parts (value not revealed);
* contract until Dec 31, 2013, with Vought Aircraft Industries Inc of the United States for the manufactire of Boeing B747-8 aft body, upper and lower shear panel and aft body kits worth US20 million (RMRM68 million); and,
* Contract with Vought for the manufacture of Gulfstream G-V series aircraft sheet metal parts worth US6 million (RM20.4 million).
The New Straits Times had reported yesterday that SMEa would be inking US1 billion (RM3.4 billion) worth of deals at this year's edition of Lima. Later, CTRM Aero Composites Sdn Bhd signed a deal worth up to RM2 billion with Spirit Aerosystems (US) for the manufacture of parts for the Airbus A320 and A350, while NGV Tech Sdn Bhd received a contract to build four docking tug boats for Marine Services Co Ltd of Saudi Arabia in a deal worth RM102 million).
NGV Tech caught the eye of the prime minister when they also signed an MoU for the purchase of 66 per cent of shares in Top of Korea Shipbuilding Co Ltd for another RM102 million.
There was also a memorandum of agreement worth RM2 million between Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology and Universiti Kuala Lumpur-Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology for the establishment of the Advanced Composite Training Centre for Aerospace Manufacturing Industry.
Meanwhile, the National Defence University of Malaysia signed an MoU with Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn Bhd for a collaboration in research, development and commercialisation in space technologies and human capital development in related fields. This MoU was estimated to be worth RM10 million.
The government, meanwhile, inked RM1.2 billion in deals. These were with:
* Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd worth RM703.8 million for the service life extension programme of the Royal Malaysian Navy's Kasturi class corvettes;
* DCNS of France for the procurement of operational level maintenance spare parts and support and test equipment for the Scorpene submarines (RM187.8 million);
* Aerotree Defence Services Sdn Bhd for the procurement of combat manoeuvring instrumentation training services for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RM126 million);
* Ikramatic Synergy Sdn Bhd for the procurement of ground base training systems for the RMAF's new Aermacchi MB-339CM aircraft (RM74.8 million);
* MBDA of France for the refurbishment of the RMN's Exocet missiles (RM111.5 million);
* SAAB Avitronics of South Africa for technical support and technical data pertaining to missile approach warning system and laser warning system for the RMAF's Sukhoi SU-30MKM aircraft (RM22 million);
* Star Fest Sdn Bhd for Olister mine disposal vehicles and modernisation of another vehicle for the RMN (RM45 million); and,
Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abu Bakar signed the deals on behalf of the government.
Abu Bakar also signed an MoU with Masterplan Consulting Sdn Bhd for the study of the Malaysia Defence and Security Technology Park Concept Plan. There was no value put to the deal.