According to the New Straits Times, inside three years Malaysia will change into the world’s largest distributor of the eight-ton Y-12F multi-role utility aircraft to China.
A full final assembly facility shall be established at Alor Star Airport in Kepala Batas, Kedah (Northern Malaysia).
Several countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa have already shown great interest in purchasing over 50 such aircraft.
The US$100 million (roughly RM415 million) facility, which is under construction, is a three way partnership between UA Aerospace Sdn Bhd and AVIC Harbin General Aircraft Industries of China, in partnership with Menteri Besar Kedah Incorporated (MBK Inc).
MBK Inc is headed by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
UA Aerospace president Gilbert Foong expected Malaysia to be the international gateway for the Y-12F.
Foong projected sales of as much as 500 aircraft inside eight years, generating an estimated $5 billion in revenue.
“The project will not only bring foreign direct investment, but also stimulate the creation of valuable industrial spin-offs and high-tech jobs for local residents,” said Foong, whose company has been within the aviation industry for over 25 years.
The twin-turboprop Y-12F is a brief takeoff and landing aircraft that requires only roughly 540 m of unpaved runway.
This is a brand new Y-12E design, which was certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration in 2016. It can accommodate as much as 19 passengers and two pilots.
To date, there are fewer than 10 Y-1 2F aircraft in operation in China.
“We intend to launch two Y-12Fs per 30 days, or 24 aircraft per 12 months. We have received letters of intent for over 50 Y-12Fs from countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa,” Foong said.
Although he declined to disclose the value of the entry-level Y-12F, the New Straits Times has learned that it’s priced at $10 million.
“The first two Y-12Fs will receive a certificate of ultimate completion in December, allowing work to start at the ultimate assembly plant. We will ship the complete fuselage, wings, tail stabilizers with stabilizers and engines, which shall be locally retrofitted to other parts of the aircraft.
He added that every Y-12F can carry up to a few LD-3s (loading device version 3), which is an aluminum container resembling a pallet for air transport.
“Each LD-3 can carry one ton of cargo, which implies the Y-12F can carry three tons of cargo.
“The use of LD-3 containers for shipping firms will enable a turnaround time for automatic loading operations of just 20 minutes.
Source: New Straits Times
