The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF – Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia) has officially inducted the FN Herstal MAG 58M 7.62 mm medium weapon system for its fleet of Airbus Helicopters EC725 AP/H225M Caracal platforms, the service announced. The procurement is aimed at enhancing the self-defense and operational capabilities of the helicopters, particularly when executing high-risk Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions. According to the RMAF, the acquisition aligns with the service’s long-term Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP 55), which outlines the modernization and readiness strategies for Malaysia’s air assets.
The H225M serves as the RMAF’s primary rotary-wing platform for multirole operations, including CSAR, tactical transport, special operations, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions. In April 2009, Malaysia placed an order for 12 EC725s in a Search and Rescue configuration to replace the ageing Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King fleet. In 2014, following Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 going missing, the Royal Malaysian Air Force deployed their EC725s was deployed to search the plane along C-130s around the South China Sea and Strait of Malacca.
The contractual background of the acquisition involves a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) signed by the Malaysian government with Belgian small arms manufacturer FN Herstal for an initial batch of five FN MAG 58M medium weapon guns. Prior to the official handover, the weapon systems underwent a rigorous Final Acceptance Test (FAT) window spanning from March 30, 2026, to June 4, 2026. This operational evaluation was conducted by No 10 Squadron at Kuantan Air Base and No 5 Squadron at Labuan Air Base to ensure the armaments met the RMAF’s technical specifications, safety standards, and operational requirements.
The official handover ceremony took place at Kuantan Air Base, where Axel de Pascal, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters, presented the weapon systems to General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris, Chief of the RMAF. The integration of the pintle-mounted 7.62×51 mm NATO MAG 58M provides the RMAF’s H225M fleet with standard-issue organic suppressive firepower. This addresses a critical capability gap during insertion and extraction phases in hostile environments, mitigating risks to the aircrew and rescued personnel during contested CSAR deployments.
