PTDI to hand over aircraft to S Korea by end of 2010

State aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) is scheduled to hand over one of four CN-235/ MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) ordered by South Korea, by the end of 2010.

"Four CN-235/ MPA aircraft are currently under construction by PTDI to meet the South Korean order. One of the planes would be handed over to South Korea by the end of 2010," PT Dirgantara Indonesia`s chief spokesman Rokhendi said in Bandung Friday.

He said the four CN-235/MPA planes are ordered by South Korea under a contract signed in 2008 at a total cost of 94.5 million US dollars. The production of the four aircraft would be completed in 2012.

"The planes will however be handed over to the South Korean side in stages," Rokhendi said.

Rokhendi added that the MPA planes will join the South Korean maritime police.

South Korea has been using the PTDI-built CN-235 planes, including two are of the VVIP version.

The CN-235/ MPA planes are the latest version for maritime patrol operations, and are equipped with radar to detect ships sailing below.

The military version of the CN-235 planes is also equipped with anti-submarine torpedoes and other special arms.

"The MVA version has become particularly popular to countries with vast territorial seas," Rokhendi said.

In addition, PTDI has also received an order for three CN-235/ MPA planes from the Indonesian navy under a contract signed in December 2009.

"The first plane, the construction of which was started this year,will be handed over in 2011," Rokhendi said.

In the meantime, the first CN-235/ MPA produced by PTDI had already been handed over to the Navy in 2008. The plane modified from the CN-235, is very suitable for marine patrol and for personnel transportation.

PTDI is also still building three Supar Puma helicopters ordered by the Indonesian Air Force. Super Pumas are only one tipe of the choppers built by PTDI.

"PTDI is currently producing Super Puma and N-Bell choppers, while NBO-105 choppers are no longer produced as the license with Messoshmit Bolkow Blohm (MBB) has expired," he added. (Original news)