Amphibious Version Of N219 Aircraft Users To Strengthen The Economy Of Remote Regions To Indonesia's Defense Independence

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) is now continuing to develop the N219 aircraft into an amphibious version, which is intended to strengthen connectivity and the economy of remote areas, to Indonesia's defense independence.

The Company Communications and Promotion Manager of PT Dirgantara Indonesia Adi Prastowo in his statement in Bandung on Saturday, June 29, explained that Indonesia's existence as an archipelagic country with 60 percent of the territory is waters, making it necessary for more innovation in the transportation sector, especially for remote areas that are difficult to reach by land transportation.

"On the other hand, with a larger area of water, it also has great potential to develop water tourism using amphibious aircraft, which in its implementation of transportation modes is also believed to be able to accommodate the connectivity needs of tourist destination locations, and can become logistics transportation supporting the populist economy in the surrounding area," he said., reported by Antara.

The N219 aircraft, which was developed into an amphibious variant, said Adi, will be equipped with float or calcification components from composite materials as a substitute for wheels for landing in open waters, and PTDI has fully committed to research and development through inclusion of working hours, utilization of production facilities, to laboratory tests.

The development of the N219 aircraft into an amphibious version is also one of PTDI's efforts to create a growth impact on the domestic industrial ecosystem, including industries in the regions, one of which is in terms of developing domestic floater production and operating aircraft maintenance activities.

In its development, Adi continued, the basic version of the N219 aircraft will be improved, from the Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) from the previous 6,700 kg to 7,030 kg, and for the payload from the previous 1,550 kg to 1,900 kg, where the addition of floaters weighing about 600 kg, will then leave the aircraft's strength to transport loads of up to 1,300 kg or equivalent to a load of 17 passengers.

In developing composite floaters, PTDI collaborates with AEROCET and MOMENTUM, an amphibious aircraft maker from America, which is targeted to get international standard certification from The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2026.

"So that later the N219 Amphibi aircraft can be commercialized globally. For the N219 Amphibious aircraft, it is targeted to fly first in 2026 and obtain certification from the Directorate of Airworthiness & Aircraft Operations (DKPPU) of the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation in 2027," he said.

The N219 Amphibious aircraft is designed to achieve speed capability of up to 296 km/h at an operational altitude of 10,000 feet and a range capability of up to 231 km, as well as a take-off calculation at a distance of 1,400 m in the waters and landing at a distance of 760 m.

"Based on the specifications of this capability, the N219 Amphibious aircraft is very suitable for serving the needs of an archipelagic region that only needs a water-based port, especially to support military operations in remote areas and borders that are strategic areas to maintain the sovereignty of the country," he said.

Adi emphasized that the N219 Amphibious Aircraft can be utilized by various sectors, especially tourism, government service travel services, oil and gas companies, public health services, SAR and disaster management as well as maritime control.

Thus, investment in the development of the N219 Amphibi aircraft is part of the long-term vision of the Indonesian Government to strengthen defense and the economy.

"By increasing transportation and logistics capabilities through this aircraft, Indonesia can strengthen its strategic position as the world's maritime axis and ensure sovereignty and regional security in a sustainable manner," he said.

The N219 Amphibious aircraft development program is part of the main initiative of the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, and is one of the flagships of Indonesia's Economic Transformation through domestic industrial development strategies.

With the support from the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN RI)/Bappenas, the N219 Amphibi development program was also encouraged to become a symbol of the development of defense industry independence in line with national priorities in the defense sector in the 2020-2024 RPJMN.