Ministry Orders Defense Equipment to PT Dirgantara Indonesia
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9 January 2019 19:55 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Bandung - Defense Ministry and state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) had inked a contract for the procurement of eight H225M Cougar helicopters worth US$330 million and nine BELL 412EPI helicopters worth US$183 million.
“President (Joko Widodo) commands to procure defense equipment that is able to be utilized for the natural disaster management,” said the ministry’s head of Defense Facilities Agency Rear Admiral Agus Setiadji in the PT DI complex, Bandung, Wednesday, January 9.
“This Cougar is the heavy-lift helicopter earned for the first time in coordination between PT DI and Airbus Helicopters. We have purchased eight units of Cougar worth US$330 million,” said Agus. The helicopter would be used as a transportation means in the disaster region.
In addition, the ministry was preparing a contract for the purchase of special aircraft to tackle forest fires. “We don’t have one. So, that (the purchase) must be processed this year,” Agus added.
The Bell helicopters, meanwhile, would be handed to the Indonesian Army Force, said the Air Force chief of staff-cum-logistic assistant Young Marshall Eko Supriyanto.
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) president director Elfien Goentoro said the procurement of Cougar helicopters would be fulfilled within 24 months, while Bell would be completed in 36 months considering the company could only produce 10 units per year.
AHMAD FIKRI
