Govt Increases Research Funds for N219 Aircraft
21 January 2015 14:04 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister M. Nasir has asked state-owned planemaker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) and the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) to finish their research to create the N219 aircraft.
“I hope the aircraft’s roll-out can be successful in mid-2015 and certified by the Transportation Ministry by year-end,” he said after a coordination meeting with PT Dirgantara Indonesia on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by several deputies from the Coordinating Economic Ministry, the Industry Ministry, the Transportation Ministry, the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) and the State Enterprises Ministry.
Nasir said he would accelerate the creation of the aircraft, which was expected to be completed in 2016, earlier than its initial target of 2017.
According to Nasir, for research needs, the government has earmarked Rp110 billion and will give another Rp89 billion. He added Lapan was still working on the research, and that the next process would be handled by PT DI upon the research's completion. PT DI is also tasked to calculate the required capital.
Nasir hoped Bappenas can allocate funds for the project.
PT DI president director Budi Santoso said the design of the aircraft had been 80 percent completed. “The public can see the aircraft in its complete form in August 2015, and it will be able to fly by the end of the year,” he said.
AHMAD FIKRI