PT Dirgantara Indonesia Bidik Pasar Thailand Untuk Penjualan Pesawat NC-212i

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto during the handover ceremony of 5 NC-212i aircraft from the Ministry of Defense to the Indonesian Air Force at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/12/2023). (ANTARA-Genta T M)

JAKARTA - PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) is targeting Thailand to expand the sales coverage of NC-212i light transport aircraft in the Southeast Asian market.

President Director of PT DI, Gita Amperiawan said, there is potential to sell eight NC-212i aircraft to Thailand.

"Our potential is for MOAC (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand) 8. There is another potential, while we are eyeing Thailand," he said when met after the handover of five NC-212i aircraft from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) to the Indonesian Air Force (AU) at the Air Base Ops (Lanud) Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta, Tuesday, December 12, which was confiscated by Antara.

He continued, the NC-212i aircraft were also purchased by the Indonesian government by the Philippines and Vietnam. "The Philippines (buys) six, and previously three. So there are nine," he said.

Gita said that so far Vietnam has bought three units. The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Defense ordered nine NC-212i aircraft from PT DI, five of which have been completed and received by the Indonesian Air Force. Three others, Gita said, are scheduled to be completed in 2024, and one last unit will be in March 2025.

A total of five units of NC-212i aircraft made by PT DI were handed over directly to the Indonesian Air Force by the Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base today.

During the event, he led the handover procession of aircraft, including watering of air and development above the plane's license.

The five NC-212i units will strengthen the 4 Air Wing 2 Air Squadron Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, Malang, East Java.

The Indonesian Defense Minister, during a press conference session, said that the level of domestic components (TKDN) NC-212i, most of whose devices were made and assembled domestically, was 40 percent.

Related to that, the President Director of PT DI explained that some that have not been made domestically, including engines, propellers, and aircraft avionic systems. "We are the ones who have not engines, propellers, that's the biggest content," said Gita.

However, PT DI intends to explore cooperation that can improve the company's ability to create its own aircraft avionic system. "We are just starting to improve TKDN in avionics," he said.

The Indonesian Defense Minister in the handover ceremony of five NC-212i units also praised the achievements of PT DI which was able to make aircraft in the country. Prabowo also mentioned a number of NC-212i advantages which were handed over to the Indonesian Air Force.

"Earlier, it was reported that there were already autopilot (devices), glass-cockpits, avionics are good, it's up to date, the propellers are composite, 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," said Prabowo.

He continued that the multipurpose light transport aircraft could 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 plane is also equipped with a ramp door to make loading/unloading easier.

"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 Gita.