This Year Basarnas Buys 3 AW169 Helicopters Made In Italy

Head of the Indonesian National Basarnas, Marshal Madya TNI Henri Alfiandi (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - Basarnas will receive an injection of a new fleet that will help facilitate the rescue process. Basarnas will buy three helicopters produced by AgustaWestland type AW169 from Italy

"Hopefully this year we will get three additional helicopters from Agusta, namely the AW169 and 74 RBB (Rigid Bouyancy Boat) fast boats," said Head of the Indonesian Basarnas Marshal TNI Henri Alfiandi on the sidelines of a working visit at the Kendari Basarnas Office, Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi, Saturday 19 March.

Henri said that by the end of March 2022, the government would approve the purchase of three helicopters.

"So, at the end of this month, the green book will be dropped, the term is approved by the government, we will buy it," said Marshal TNI Henri as quoted by Antara.

However, Henri did not specify exactly how much budget would be used to buy the three AW169 helicopters. However, he estimates the budget to be under Rp1 trillion.

"The budget is already there, I don't know exactly, which is obviously expensive. More or less maybe less than Rp. 1 trillion," continued Marshal TNI Henri.

He explained that the budget of less than Rp. 1 trillion did not only buy the three helicopters, but also included other supporting costs such as a five-year spare parts guarantee.

"So don't say what the price of the plane will be? But it doesn't take into account the education and spare parks, that's sometimes a bad rumor. The price of the plane can be seen in the catalog, but what? The supporters are never mentioned," asked Marshal Madya TNI Henri .

In addition, he said that his party had also submitted to the Ministry of Defense that the Army would donate eight BO105 helicopters.

"From these eight, perhaps we will be able to operate at least five aircraft. So in addition, hopefully in the next two years we will be able to operate eight helicopters," said Henri.

He added that according to President Joko Widodo's orders, helicopters would be alerted at five tourist destinations in Indonesia, namely Mandalika in Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara; Likupang in North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi; Lake Toba in North Sumatra; Borobudur, Magelang Regency, Central Java; and in Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

The Head of Basarnas on a working visit at the Kendari Basarnas Office was accompanied by the Deputy for Sarpras Siskom, Junior Marshal TNI F. Indrajaya, Director of Operations Brigadier General (Mar) Wurjanto M.Han and was greeted by the Head of Basarnas Kendari Aris Sofingi.