Malaysia today said it will buy two Italian-made helicopters for RM54 million to bolster search and rescue missions.

Wan Mohamad Nor Ibrahim, deputy director-general of the Fire and Rescue Department, said the Augusta helicopters were scheduled to be delivered early next year.

The two aircraft would also be used to assist in environmental monitoring, he said.

The fire department now has two Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters. However, only one is operational as the other is being overhauled.

"If one is being refurbished, then we still have another three which we can deploy" after the Italian purchase, the official was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.