Nuri (translate = parrot) Helicopter is Royal Malaysian Air Force Sikorsky S-61A-4 most iconic helicopter. Serving Malaysia since 1960, with 44 Nuri Helicopters. Now, only 28 Nuris still active/ exist, 16 now retained by Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and 12 other Nuris already been transferred to Air team of Malaysian Army.
Used normally as utility helicopter sending goods throughout many events like flood, natural disaster and more. But after the increasing threat particularly in Sabah, Nuris now also equipped with its own permanent firepower, FN MAG 58 multipurpose machine-gun. All Nuris also being converted to digital cockpit, digital camouflage etc.
With an average of 14,000 flying hours logged, despite being old helicopter, Nuri Malaysia can still be considered 'young', as compared to global average of 60,000 flying hours. Malaysian Nuri Helicopter actually infamous for years of unexpected crashes, rotor blades detachment during maneuver, emergency landings and all. But due to military budget constraint, these 28 remaining Nuri Helicopter is expected to serve for at least 15 more years (2015).
Used normally as utility helicopter sending goods throughout many events like flood, natural disaster and more. But after the increasing threat particularly in Sabah, Nuris now also equipped with its own permanent firepower, FN MAG 58 multipurpose machine-gun. All Nuris also being converted to digital cockpit, digital camouflage etc.
With an average of 14,000 flying hours logged, despite being old helicopter, Nuri Malaysia can still be considered 'young', as compared to global average of 60,000 flying hours. Malaysian Nuri Helicopter actually infamous for years of unexpected crashes, rotor blades detachment during maneuver, emergency landings and all. But due to military budget constraint, these 28 remaining Nuri Helicopter is expected to serve for at least 15 more years (2015).
