KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia plans to purchase EC-725 Cougar helicopters from the Eurocopter by the end of 2009, according to Malaysia's Defense Ministry source.

    The Malaysian government is expected to sign a contract with the Eurocopter for eight or ten helicopters at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2009 show in December, New Straits Times quoted the ministry's source as saying.

    The purchase price has failed to be disclosed. As planned, these helicopters will be delivered starting from 2010.

    The current fleet of helicopters, Sikorsky S61-A4 Sea King, has been in operation since 1969 and the government thinks it is urgent to replace them.

    The government used to make a purchasing plan of 12 Cougars for 1.6 billion ringgit (4.6 million U.S. dollars) two years ago, which had been finally put off for financial reasons.