Dirgantara Indonesia Wants N-219 to Enter Mass Production in 2016

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned aerospace company, Dirgantara Indonesia (DI), plans to commence the production of N-219 - its' latest light transport aircraft - as soon as possible, and hoped that the aircraft could begin mass production as early as 2016.

The Minister for Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Muhammad Nasir, said that the prototype of the aircraft has been completed. "All that needs to be done to ensure that the prototype passes all the required testings and certifications," said Nasir in Surakarta on Tuesday, March 24, 2015.

The Minister has said that the prototype costs Rp 150 billion to produce. "Once it enters mass production, the list price for one unit will probably be around Rp 70 billion," Nasir said, before adding that he is sure that such pricing is far more competitive compared to other, foreign-produced, aircraft in the same category.

Nasir explained that the aircraft will have the capacity to carry 19 passengers, which would make it highly effective for serving short-distance routes of up to 200 kilometers, between areas with low passenger traffic and short runways, as well as for serving as inter-island transport, which is necessity considering Indonesia is an archipelago.

The Minister also claimed that several nations have expressed their interest to acquire the aircraft - including Thailand and the Philippines. "However, we will prioritize domestic orders and demands," said Nasir.

Nasir hoped that the aircraft could pass all the necessary certification process by the end of this year, as his Ministry has said that the aircraft needs to enter the mass production phase by 2016.

"The success of this aircraft will be the turning point for Indonesia's aviation industry," finished Nasir.

AHMAD RAFIQ