TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Defense is currently collaborating with the Italian main weapons systems company, Leonardo, in procuring AW149 helicopters.
The procurement was carried out to strengthen the Indonesian National Navy (TNI AL), especially in the ranks of the Naval Aviation Center (Puspenerbal).
According to the company's official website leonardo.com, citing ANTARA, the AW149 is the latest-generation multirole helicopter produced by the company. The helicopter is designed to carry out various missions, ranging from combat operations, such as transporting troops or carrying out infiltration missions, to evacuation and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations.
The helicopter also features a spacious, open-plan cabin with sliding doors on both sides. These features allow the helicopter to transport 19 troops with their combat gear.
This helicopter has a gross weight of 8.6 tons and two engine options. Buyers can choose between a General Electric CT7-2E1 engine and one Safran e-APU (60 kW) or two Safran Aneto-1K engines and one Safran e-APU (60 kW).
The AW149 has an overall length of 5.07 meters and a propeller diameter of 14.60 meters. Weighing eight tons, the helicopter can fly at a maximum altitude of 6 kilometers. The AW149 can also reach a top speed of 306 kilometers per hour.
Additionally, the helicopter has a maximum range of 954 kilometers. Depending on weather conditions and fuel availability, the AW149 can fly non-stop for a maximum of four hours and ten minutes.
Head of the Defense Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defense's Secretariat General, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, when confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday, said that currently, the cooperation process between the Ministry of Defense and Leonardo regarding the procurement of AW149 helicopters is still in the stage of signing the Letter of Intent (LoI).
"Currently, what has been signed is a Letter of Intent as part of the cooperation exploration stage," said Rico.
He explained that the points in the Letter of Intent (LoI) were not only about procurement, but also about developing technical support, maintenance, and training, as well as increasing the capabilities of the domestic defense industry.
However, Rico could not yet explain in detail when the helicopter purchase process would take place. He also couldn't specify how many helicopters would be purchased. When asked whether the helicopters would be deployed on the deck of Indonesia's Giuseppe Garibaldi aircraft carrier, he also declined to comment.
"In principle, every procurement of defense equipment is carried out by considering its suitability to the TNI's operational needs, technological superiority, logistical and maintenance support throughout the defense equipment's life cycle, and opportunities for developing the capacity of human resources and the national defense industry," he said.
Read: Indonesia's Defense Ministry Responds to M-346F Fighter Jets Procurement
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