Defense Minister Prabowo Hands Over 8 H225M Helicopter Units To Indonesian Air Force

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto when pouring airbang into the nose of the Airbus Helicopters H225M/ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi helicopter)

BOGOR - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto handed over eight units of Airbus H225M heavy transport helicopters, originally called Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, to the Indonesian Air Force at Atang Sendjaja Air Base, Bogor, West Java.

The eight Airbus helicopters, which were all assembled and equipped by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI), are now officially strengthening the 8 Wing 4 Air Squadron Atang Sendjaja Air Base.

Not only handing over eight helicopter units to the Indonesian Air Force, which were received directly by the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (KSAU) Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo, Prabowo also inaugurated the full flight simulator Airbus Helicopters H225M at Atang Sendjaja Air Base.

"Today, we saw the handover of eight helicopters. This is not how much we need, because our area is very wide and they (the Indonesian Air Force soldiers) who will become the crew of this helicopter risk their lives. This son, daughter, our children, risk their lives at all times, they are willing, they are sincere. That's why, today I feel proud to be in the midst of all of you, especially at Atang Sendjaja Air Base," said Prabowo during the handover of the H225M helicopter., Friday, December 1st.

He reiterated that the government, through the Ministry of Defense, is fighting hard to buy the best main weapon system (defense equipment) for the TNI, especially the Indonesian Air Force, in order to strengthen the readiness of Indonesian combat and air defense.

"I and all levels of the Ministry of Defense will fight hard to improve the quality of life, improve the services you need, look for the best equipment, the best maintenance; so that really we will have a reliable Air Force. We must have reliable air strength, which is superior. That must be a joint determination," said Prabowo.

In the handover ceremony for the eight H225M helicopters, Prabowo directly led the process of watering the fireworks and breaking the jug into one of the noses or noses of the helicopter.

Then, Prabowo together with Fadjar Prasetyo and the Chief of General Staff (Kasum) of the TNI Lt. Gen. Bambang Ismawan, who represented the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, reviewed the helicopter and inaugurated the H225M helicopter simulator.

Airbus Helicopters H225M is a multipurpose heavy transport helicopter that functions for special operations, SAR, medical evacuation, maritime surveillance, and air fire assistance.

The helicopter, designed by Airbus Helicopters, is equipped with a number of advanced devices, including a modural design, the use of composite materials, advanced avionics including LCDmulti-function display,vehicle monitoring system, lake flight control system.

The H225M also combines a new generation of Turbomeca MAKILA 2A1 power plant and can be equipped with an HForce weapon system, namely an armament system that allows for all types of air operations scenarios.