KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will receive nine new aircraft in stages, from the first quarter of next year to 2016, to strengthen the air force.

RMAF chief, Gen Datuk Seri Roslan Saad said of the total, four were Airbus A400M transport aircraft while the others were PC-7 MK 11 trainer aircraft for use at the Flight Training Centre, RMAF College in Kepala Batas, Alor Setar.

He said the nine aircraft were needed to boosting RMAF's military and humanitarian missions.

"RMAF will receive the Airbus (A400M) in stages from the first quarter of next year while the PC-7 MK 11 are expected to arrive by early 2015," he told a media conference at Wisma Pertahanan, here, today.

Asked about the latest status of the new RMAF base which is being built in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan, Roslan said 25 per cent of the work was completed, and (the project) was expected to be ready by 2016.

Meanwhile, Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar today received a courtesy call from Royal Brunei Navy commander, First Admiral Datuk Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz Mohd Tamit at RMN's headquarters at Wisma Pertahanan.  — Bernama