Boeing Defense, Space and Security, a unit of The Boeing Company, has provided a request for proposal (RFP) to supply communications satellites to Measat Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd.

Dennis Muilenburg, executive vice-president of The Boeing Company and president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said Measat, the satellite communications provider, "is in the process of acquiring an additional satellite, potentially two."

"We are in the middle of the competitive process to supply Measat a satellite as they are seeking high bandwidth to increase their commercial communications capacity," he told a media briefing recently.

measat launch 220609 Of the Measat satellites orbiting in space, he said three out of four were delivered by Boeing.

Muilenburg, who was in Malaysia for the first time as CEO of Boeing Defense, said his two-day visit to Malaysia beginning Monday was part of a tour that included Singapore and South Korea to meet customers and industrial partners.

He said among Boeing Defense's objectives was to ensure that the current satellite operations were working well and provided appropriate support to customers such as Measat.

"They are seeking additional ku-band commercial capacity as Measat was looking at Africa," he said, adding that two of Measat's satellites in orbit were delivered by Boeing and were already providing communications capacity for Africa.

Over the long-term, "we see almost insatiable demand for commercial satellite communications bandwidth.

"We see strength in that market (satellite communications) and that is one of our growth areas," he said.

Muilenburg also expressed optimism over the growing international business segment from the Asia-Pacific region to Boeing Defense's overall market.

Of the 18 percent projected contribution to revenue from its international business, 55 percent would come from Asia-Pacific.

This includes the important work Boeing is doing in Malaysia with the existing Hornet aircraft fleet and the opportunities accruing from Measat's operations, he said.

He said the combination of customers replacing ageing fleets, expanding capacities, stepping up defence and security roles and enhancing inherent aerospace capability would add to its international business from Asia-Pacific.

"We see defence activity as part of a country's growth engine and that the growth in the defence business and investments in high technology and related jobs is encouraging," he said.

Muilenburg also did not discount the possibility of Boeing Defense participating in the logistics, training as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business in Malaysia.

He said this could be part of the solution here in the long run as Malaysia ramps up its defence capabilities and "certainly a key element of any industrial participation programme package that we try to put together."

Demand for Chinook copters on the rise

Meanwhile, Joseph H Song, Boeing's vice-president for the Asia-Pacific International Business, said the demand for Boeing's Chinook helicopters was increasing in the Asia-Pacific region, Middle East and Europe.

This was driven by its flexibility and capability in being deployed both in military and humanitarian operations.

"Some of the countries which have warming relations with the United States such as Vietnam and Malaysia might have requirements for the Chinook but specifics have not been talked about," he said.

Muilenburg said Boeing Defense has one of the most robust backlogs which at US$65.5 billion was about two times the unit's projected 2010 revenue.

"Our strength and diversity of our backlog are among the most favourable characteristics for Boeing, comprising Chinooks, attack aircraft fighters, satellites, logistics, training, growing commercial derivatives, etc.    

"In the current defence environment of moderating defence budgets globally, with some local growth in the Asia-Pacific region, it is very important to have production lines that deliver products on cost and on schedule," he said.

The Boeing Company would strive to maintain a 50-50 balance between the commercial and defence business in its revenue, he added.

- Bernama