Visit PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Bamsoet: Domestically Manufactured Aircraft Are No Less Than Overseas

Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia, Bambang Soesatyo. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the MPR RI Bambang Soesatyo emphasized that the aircraft produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia are not inferior to aircraft manufactured by foreign manufacturers, such as Boeing or Airbus.

Therefore, he encouraged the ministry or the private sector not to hesitate to use the aircraft produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia to meet various operational needs.

"According to President Joko Widodo's recommendation, we must love and use domestic products. So that we can increase the level of domestic consumption and optimize the domestic market and people's purchasing power to boost the national economy," said Bamsoet during a visit to PT Dirgantara Indonesia, in Bandung. , Saturday, July 23.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN)'s Polhukam Agency explained that PT Dirgantara Indonesia has been able to produce various types of aircraft to meet the needs of civil airlines, military operators or special mission needs.

The aircraft, continued Bamsoet, can be used for agricultural, military, medical evacuation, surveillance and search and rescue needs.

"Since its establishment in 1976, PT Dirgantara Indonesia has been able to produce as many as 465 aircraft of various types. Among them, the CN-235, CN-295, NC-212 and N-219 Nurtanio. Meanwhile, Superpuma, Bell 412EP, and helicopters have been produced. AS-550 and AS-565 MBE," he said.

In fact, continued Bamsoet, aircraft produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia are not only used domestically, but have been widely used in other countries, such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal, Turkey, Burkina Faso. , Guinea, Venezuela and the Arab European Union.

"In terms of security itself, using domestic products is much safer than leakage or theft of national strategic data. It also avoids dependence on imported components, maintenance and others," concluded Bamsoet.

Bamsoet also encouraged PT Dirgantara Indonesia to empower the surrounding community to supply the material needs for aircraft manufacture. Such as propellers, bolts and other materials that can be produced through a home industry can be done by the local community.

"It's time for PT Dirgantara Indonesia to empower the surrounding community by being involved in the manufacture of aircraft material needs that are produced. Of course, with guidance and supervision from PT Dirgantara Indonesia. It is not impossible for example there will be a propeller village, bolt village, or other component villages," explained bamsoet.

The founder of the Cargo Black Stone Airline (Asia Cargo Network Group) airline said that Blackstone Airlines is exploring the purchase of one CN-235 aircraft for cargo and logistics delivery purposes. Because, so far the delivery of cargo for four-wheeled vehicles still relies on ships.

"The use of domestically produced aircraft will certainly have a major impact on the national economy. Revenue from the purchase of aircraft, taxes and others will ultimately increase state revenue and become a buffer for the national economy in the midst of the post-COVID-19 crisis," he said.