The Indonesian Air Force has placed an order for four Airbus H145 helicopters to modernise its training fleet and enhance search-and-rescue capabilities.
The deal was announced at the Bali International Airshow, with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) set to manage final assembly and customisation.
Vincent Dubrule, Head of Asia-Pacific at Airbus Helicopters, expressed confidence in the H145’s suitability for Indonesia’s needs.
“We are honoured by Indonesia’s selection of the country’s first Airbus H145 for its new training fleet,” Dubrule said.
“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.”
The five-bladed H145 helicopters will be delivered to PTDI for reassembly and mission equipment integration at its Bandung facility before final delivery to the air force.
Gita Amperiawan, President Director of PTDI, highlighted the significance of the order for the Indonesian aerospace industry.
“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,” Amperiawan said.
The partnership between Airbus Helicopters and Indonesia spans nearly 50 years, beginning with PTDI’s licence to produce the NBO-105 helicopter in 1976.
The relationship has since expanded to include production of H225 components and exploration of further collaboration in helicopter production and maintenance.
The latest H145 model features an innovative five-bladed rotor, increasing the useful load by 150 kg and improving maintenance operations and flight comfort.
Over 1,700 H145 family helicopters are currently in service worldwide, accumulating more than 7.9 million flight hours.
The H145 is known for its low acoustic footprint and CO2 emissions, making it the quietest helicopter in its class.
