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The government has approved a RM16.45 billion allocation to set up a helicopter assembly factory led by Weststar Group at the Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam.

In a Bernama report, Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh said the factory – which is also set to be a hub for helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services – would be developed over three years on a 6.88ha piece of land.

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Rauf said the project would provide significant economic opportunities for Melaka by developing the state as an MRO hub for helicopters in the region and creating more jobs in the aerospace industry.

“This RM16.45 billion investment from the federal government will shine new light on the aerospace industry in Melaka, and the state government will give its full support to ensure this project is ready within three years,” he told reporters at LTAM.

Noting that the ÿ�մ���n Flying Academy is also located in Melaka, Rauf said Weststar has been entrusted to produce 1,500 helicopter pilots within one year to support the air transport services industry in the country.

Rauf was speaking to the media after a visit to the proposed site of the factory by Weststar, the largest helicopter operator in Southeast Asia.

The visit was led by Weststar chairman and founder Syed Azman Ibrahim. Also present was state public works, infrastructure, public utilities and transport committee chairman Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer.