PT DI to provide new choppers for TNI

The Jakarta Post | The Archipelago | Sat, March 16 2013, 11:13 AM

State-run aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) is working overtime to deliver six Bell-412 EP transport helicopters earlier than scheduled to the Defense Ministry, which will then provide the helicopters on grant to the Indonesian Military (TNI) Army.

“We will accelerate their delivery to support the planned TNI joint training program,” said PT DI managing director Budi Santoso at PT DI’s Rotary Wing hangar in Bandung on Friday.

The delivery of the helicopters was based on a purchase contract worth US$65 million signed on March 6, 2012.

Based on the contract, the helicopters should have been delivered in stages in September, October and November, 2013.

According to Budi, the six Bell-412 helicopters are the latest generation of helicopters able to carry up to 13 persons, and all its instruments are digitalized.

“Each of them is 17 percent more powerful than the seven units that had been delivered earlier,” said Budi, adding they were delivered in August 2012 at Pondok Cabe airport in Jakarta.

He added that PT DI would deliver 16 helicopters of the same type in 2014. “Their total value is $170 million, but the contract is not yet in effect,” he said.

Head of the Defense Facilities Agency at the Defense Ministry Rear, Admiral Rachmad Lubis, said of the 23 ordered helicopters, 15 units would be used as transport helicopters and eight as attack helicopters.

“The six additional units will strengthen the TNI Army attack squadron,” he added.

TNI Army deputy chief-of-staff Let. Gen. Moeldoko said he planned to equip the entire provincial military commands in Indonesia with a helicopter squadron by 2024, each supported by between 24 and 32 helicopters.

The Jakarta Post

Indonesia to buy Black Hawk chopper from U.S.

English.news.cn 2013-02-25 19:23:19



JAKARTA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian army would purchase Black Hawk helicopters from the United States this year, in a bid to strengthen its weaponry, a military officer said here on Monday.

The plan is part of the Indonesian government's effort to modernize its weaponry.

"Black Hawk is a good choice," said General Pramono Eddie Wibowo, Indonesian army chief of staff after signing an agreement between the army, oil and gas firm PT. Pertamina Persero and BRI bank here at the army headquarters.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that Indonesia aims to purchase weaponry from countries in Eastern Europe or the United States with reduced budget for maintenance which would offer lower prices for buyers.

Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has said that Indonesia requires more war helicopters to help secure the largest archipelago in the world.

Terrorism, transnatinal crime and insurgency are among the main challenges for Indonesian military.
Editor: Zhu Ningzhu

Xin Hua