Indonesian Air Force Orders Four Airbus H145 Helicopters

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian Air Force has placed an order for four Airbus H145 helicopters as part of its training modernisation programme.

These multi-mission helicopters will be used for military training and light search-and-rescue missions.

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The order was announced this week at the Bali International Airshow as part of an agreement between the Air Force and aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), according to a statement from Airbus on Wednesday.

Under the agreement, Airbus will deliver H145s to PTDI, which will manage the reassembly and completion of the mission equipment and other customisation work at its facility in Bandung, Indonesia, for final delivery to the air force.

“We’re fully confident that the highly versatile H145 will make a positive impact in enhancing its military pilot training and at the same time be a critical enabler for its search-and-rescue operations,” Airbus Helicopters Asia-Pacific head Vincent Dubrule said.

PTDI president director Gita Amperiawan said the collaboration not only strengthens the long-standing partnership between PTDI and Airbus, but also showcases our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions for national operational needs

“Through this close partnership, PTDI will not only support the delivery of the H145 helicopters but will also enhance our capabilities in terms of integration and assembly at our facilities,” Gita said. 

Airbus Helicopters and Indonesia have enjoyed a nearly 50-year partnership, beginning in 1976 with PTDI’s licence to produce the NBO-105 helicopter.

PTDI became a key supplier for the Airbus H225’s rear fuselage and main airframe in 2008, with full production in place in Indonesia in 2011.

The latest version of Airbus’ H145 adds an innovative five-bladed rotor to the multi-mission H145, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 150 kilogrammes.

-- BERNAMA