Defense Minister Hands Over 5 Units Of NC-212i Made By PT DI To The Indonesian Air Force

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto handed over five units of NC-212i aircraft made by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) to the Indonesian Air Force at the Air Base Ops (Lanud) Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta.

The five aircraft are part of the nine NC-212i aircraft ordered by the Ministry of Defense at PT DI for the Indonesian Air Force. The other three aircraft are scheduled to be completed in 2024, while the remaining one aircraft will be completed in 2025.

"We are proud because this aircraft is a product of our defense industry and this aircraft has been used in our country for a long time, maybe this is the first product from PT DI, I think," Prabowo said in his remarks during the handover ceremony at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base., Tuesday, December 12.

He said the NC-212i aircraft that were handed over to the Indonesian Air Force on Tuesday had a number of advantages, including that the plane could land on the grass runway and sand runway.

"Earlier, it was reported that there were (devices) autopilot, glass-cockpit, avaconics are good, it's up to date, the propeller has already been compiled, lighter. So, this aircraft can land on the grass field and sand field and enough (landasan) 600 meters. So, (airplanes can afford) enter difficult places and have many functions," Prabowo explained during a press conference after the handover ceremony.

So far, the level of domestic components (TKDN) in the production of the NC-212i aircraft made by PT DI is 40 percent.

The multipurpose light transport aircraft can not only be used for training and troop carriers, but also air medical evacuations, aerial photos, weather modifications or artificial rain, and air navigation training.

The NC-212i aircraft, which will later strengthen the Air Squadron 4 Air Wing 2 Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, Malang, East Java, can carry 28 passengers and load up to three tons.

The plane is also equipped with a ramp door to facilitate loading/unloading loading.

"Thank you to PT DI. Always improve your ability. Have a great determination to master technology for the sake of the nation's independence. Make every effort to improve the ability of our children to master advanced technology," Prabowo told PT DI President Director Gita Amperiawan.