Indonesia has awarded Airbus a contract to supply four H145 helicopters for the country’s air force.
The agreement will provide the five-bladed variant of the aircraft to the state-owned aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), which will lead the distribution to the service.
The local firm will manage reassembly of the mission equipment and other specialized configurations at its center in Bandung prior to the commissioning.
Upon deployment, the fleet will be used for light search and rescue missions as well as training programs.
“We are honoured by Indonesia’s selection of the country’s first Airbus H145 for its new training fleet,” Airbus Helicopters Asia-Pacific Head Vincent Dubrule stated.
“We are 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.”
Continuing Partnership
The latest contract continues Airbus’ approximately five decades of partnership with PTDI and the Indonesian government.
After Jakarta’s first helicopter procurement from the French company in the 1970s, Airbus eventually became a “key supplier” of rotorcraft fuselages and airframes for the country.
Airbus inaugurated its local full production operations in Indonesia in 2011 and expanded its manufacturing, maintenance, and overhaul support for the nation’s specific helicopter fleets six years later.
“This 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,” PTDI President Director Gita Amperiawan commented on the latest deal.
“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.”
“We are confident that this cooperation will create new opportunities for the development of the national aerospace industry and further sustain the long-term relationship between PTDI and Airbus, which we continue to strengthen for a more advanced future.”
The Airbus H145
The H145 has an overall length of 43 feet (13 meters) and a wingspan of 36 feet (11 meters).
It can carry up to 10 personnel and cargo weighing up to 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms).
The aircraft is equipped with a twin Turbomeca Arriel 2E engine and has a fuel capacity of up to 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms) for a top speed of 143 knots (265 kilometers/165 miles per hour) and altitudes up to 12,550 feet (3,825 meters).
Through Airbus’ proprietary HForce weapon suite, users can equip the helicopter with helmet-mounted sight and display solutions, an electro-optical target tracking and firing system, cannons, rockets, machine guns, as well as laser-guided, air-to-ground, and air-to-air missiles.
