B.J. Habibie Hands Over Two Presidential Super Puma Helicopters To The Minister Of State Secretary In Today's History, February 22, 1993

The Minister of Research and Technology BJ Habibie is giving an explanation to the Finnish Minister of Trade and Industry, Esko Ollila in Jakarta on January 26, 1983. (Antara)

JAKARTA – Today's history, 30 years ago, on February 22, 1993, the Indonesian Aircraft Industry (IPTN) handed over two Super Puma helicopters for the presidency to the Ministry of State Secretary (Kemensetneg). Minister of Research and Technology (Menristek) Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie was present at the ceremony.

The man who also serves as Director of IPTN acts to hand over the two presidential helicopters to the Minister of State Secretary, Moediono. Previously, IPTN under Habibie's control experienced rapid progress. IPTN was able to incarnate as the spearhead of the Indonesian aerospace industry.

Habibie's progress in the world of Indonesian aerospace is second to none. Habibie's experience as Deputy Director of Technology, Messerchmidt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) is behind it. Habibie's experience at MBB Germany is needed to develop the Indonesian aerospace industry.

The prayers are answered. Habibie was called back to Indonesia by President Soeharto. The Indonesian leader wants Habibie to immediately make his breakthrough in Indonesia. Because of this, Habibie was given various high-profile positions when he returned to Jakarta on January 26, 1974.

Suharto initially asked Habibie to temporarily occupy Pertamina's new division, the Advanced Technology and Aeronautical Technology Division (ATTP). Furthermore, Habibie was then given the power to lead IPTN which later became known as PT. Dirgantara Indonesian.

President Jokowi is about to board the Indonesian presidential helicopter Super Puma AS-332L2 with registration number H-3322 at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta on 12 July 2022. (RI Secretariat)

The results were brilliant. IPTN was able to become the first and only aircraft manufacturer in Indonesia. This provision made Habibie's name shine even more. President Suharto then appointed him as Minister of Research and Technology. The Smiling General thought it was possible to make an airplane alone, let alone make anything else.

"For BJ Habibie, what he has contributed to the nation and state has been proven, as written by a foreign journalist, that Habibie brought the century of technology to Indonesia. In the past, Indonesia had a minister for the aviation industry, had a director general for the aviation industry, had the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan).”

"However, none of them have proven to make the commercial airplane industry and produce it seriously. At that time, BJ Habibie only started as a high-tech adviser for the oil company Pertamina, having proven to the sons and daughters of Indonesia that Indonesia could enter the century of advanced technology," said A. Makmur Makka in the book Mr. Crack dari Pare-Pare (2008).

IPTN has achieved rapid development since being commanded by Habibie. IPTN provides many lines of air transportation for the benefit of the state. Even for the presidency. Habibie was noted to have given the Indonesian government two Super Puma helicopters for presidential affairs.

The Super Puma helicopter was ceremonially handed over at the Halim Perdanakusuma Squadron, Jakarta on February 22, 1993. IPTN was represented by Habibie, and the Ministry of State Secretariat was represented by minister Moediono directly. The helicopters were each NAS 332 with registration numbers SETNEG H-3321 and H-3322.

"The State Secretary received two helicopters produced by the Nusantara Aircraft Industry (IPTN), on February 22, 1993. The two helicopters have a very special status because they are VVIP (Very Very Important Person) aircraft. This is the first presidential aircraft made domestically and only operated for the purpose of serving high-ranking officials and state guests."

"Because of this very special status, the responsibility for operating it is handed over to ABRI, namely the Indonesian Air Force. This management by the Indonesian Air Force is to ensure security alone, both for storage and operation," wrote in the Dharmasena Magazine report entitled Setneg Terima Dua Heli Super Puma Kepresidenan (1993).