Aircraft company Indonesian Aerospace has signed deals with American firms Boeing and Sikorsky to bolster the archipelago’s defense modernization efforts.
The state-owned aircraft maker, also called PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), secured a memorandum of understanding with Boeing to beef up the country’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Under the pact, the companies will “explore teaming opportunities in manufacturing, support, and maintenance of defense products and training.”
“Boeing’s 73 years of partnership with Indonesia’s aerospace industry spans multiple programs and services that advance national security priorities, grow economic development and build stronger communities,” Boeing’s Heidi Grant said.
“This agreement with PTDI is an important step in achieving Indonesia’s vision for economic development, technology transfer and talent development across the local industry.”
Boeing is expected to expand the collaboration once Jakarta procures F-15EX Eagle II jet fighters. In February, the US State Department approved the potential $14 billion sale of 36 F-15 fighter jets and other assorted military equipment to the country.
Indonesian Aerospace also signed a contract with Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky for the potential sales, production, and delivery of Black Hawk helicopters.
The 9,979-kilograms (22,000 pounds) multi-role helicopter features electro-optical sensors, high-strength airframe structures, and composite wide-chord rotor blades that improve situational awareness and survivability.
“Lockheed Martin is expected to support PTDI in modernization of [Indonesian Air Force] military equipment, develop PTDI engineering capability. And also ensure readiness of PTDI industrial capability to support future projects of the Government of Indonesia,” said PTDI CEO Gita Amperiawan.
Indo Defence 2022 Expo & Forum
The two agreements were officially sealed during the recently concluded 2022 Indo Defence Expo & Forum.
The largest defense industry exhibition in Southeast Asia, the event was simultaneously held in three different locations: Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran, Indonesian Navy Pondok Dayung Base, and South Apron of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force.
According to Arya Seta Wiriadipura, managing director of organizer PT Napindo Media Ashatama, the event targeted to forge strong foundations and interactions among domestic and foreign defense industries.
“This defense exhibition and forum [also aims to create] transfer of technology in the form of Joint Production or Joint Development, with a target of 30 thousand visitors,” the director said.
Indo Defence, a biennial agenda, is on its ninth year of implementation since it began in 2004. It was postponed for three years during COVID-19.