17 Februari 2012
CAE heli simulator (photo : CAE)SINGAPORE — Canada’s CAE will set up a military and civilian helicopter training center with Brunei as part of a multipurpose training operation, CAE and the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) announced at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 15.
The groups signed a memorandum of understanding to build a facility focusing initially on local military and civilian helicopter pilots. The facility, located in Rimba, would be the region’s largest helicopter simulator training facility, a joint statement said.
The $80 million investment program will later expand to cover training in the oil and gas, public security, and crisis management sectors.
Marc Parent, CAE’s chief executive, declined to give details of timing and helicopter types for training and simulation but said talks had been going on for about a year and the project was “on a fast track.”
The training tie-up comes on the back of a decision by Brunei to expand its rotorcraft capabilities with the purchase of 12 S-70i Black Hawks to add to the air force’s fleet of Sikorsky machines. Deliveries on the new Black Hawks get underway next year.
Existing Bell helicopters, which now form part of the fleet, will be phased out.
CAE and BEDB would sign a joint venture partnership to pursue the opportunity, Parent said.
On Feb. 15, 2011, CAE and Brunei announced a deal for the creation of a National Modelling and Simulation Centre. The organization would aid military and other government agencies with tasks including force-structure options analysis and mission rehearsal exercises.
KDB Darulaman tiba di Brunei dari perjalanan panjang pengiriman kapal baru tersebut dari Jerman (photo : Brunei Mindef)
