KUALA LUMPUR: The government is expected to pay more if it accepts the deferred payment plan to procure 12 medium utility helicopters from European manufacturer Eurocopter.

A local defence industry source said, as with most deferred payment plans, the purchaser will end up paying interest, the rate of which will have to be decided by the seller and purchaser.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is considering a new offer from Eurocopter for the deferred procurement of its EC 725 Cougar utility helicopters.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the latest development with The Malay Mail this morning, adding that the ministry is considering it.

THE local defence industry is abuzz with speculation that the procurement of the Eurocopter EC725 Cougar medium-utility helicopters will be inked at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2009 (Lima 2009), in Langkawi next week.

The Defence Ministry has remained tight-lipped on speculation about the RM1.604 billion deal, nixed last year by then Prime Minister and D