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ShinMaywa US-2

Undeniably, these aircraft typ- by state-owned PT Dirgantara BRIN (National Research and
ically come with a higher price Indonesia (PTDI) as an exten- Innovation Agency).
tag compared to their exclusive sion of the N219 transport
land-based counterparts of sim- aircraft development, marks Fortunately, during the 2022
ilar size and capacity. However, a significant effort to improve G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia’s
it’s crucial to recognise that this amphibious aviation in the coun- Bappenas (Ministry of National
upfront investment is not merely try. However, the project has Development Planning) acknowl-
an expense but rather an invest- encountered setbacks. Its devel- edged the strategic importance
ment in unparalleled flexibility opment began after the N219 of this aircraft, especially since
and versatility. received certification in 2020 and it would be more efficient in
was initially funded by LAPAN reaching remote areas without
In essence, while the cost of (National Institute of Aeronautics airstrips as long as there are
amphibious aircraft may seem and Space). Unfortunately, adequate water areas. Thus the
daunting at first glance, it pales funding was discontinued in government felt this urgency,
in comparison to the invaluable 2021 following a policy change leading to the decision to
benefits they bring in terms of that saw LAPAN merged into resume the project with funding
accessibility, resilience, and
efficiency. Investing in amphibi-
ous aviation is not just a financial
decision; it’s a commitment to
unlocking the full potential of
aviation and driving progress
towards a more connected and
prosperous future.

Indonesia’s aerospace
industry has not

remained idle in the
face of this challenge.

N219A Project
The N219A project, initiated

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