Page 8 - INDO DEFENCE 2022 - DAY 1

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

present status? CN-235 aircraft, which is well proven in the
region. In the Indonesian domestic market,
Starting from 2011, PTDI has been actively we expect demand for two aircraft for the
involved in the development of a multi role Indonesian Navy and three more aircraft
combat aircraft with Republic of Indonesia for the Indonesian Armed Forces. In the
Government and Republic of Korea export market as well, we are confident of
Government. Under the supervision of our demand. Potential customers could include
Ministry of Defence, the programme aims the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
to build Indonesian capabilities to defend for military transport and VIP versions.
its air territory, to establish and enhance a Nigerian customers are interested in the
sustainable Indonesian Defence industry CN-235s military and commercial variants.
and deliver fighters to the Indonesian Air The Bangladesh Air Force and Bangladesh
Forces. Army are also potential customers.

PTDI as the Indonesian Industrial 3. Is PTDI working on any
Participant (IIP) is participating in the unmanned systems?
Irlan Budiman Engineering Work Package (EWP) as
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) part of the Engineering & Manufacturing PTDI has been developing an unmanned
Corporate Secretary Development (EMD) activities carried out aerial vehicle named Wulung. It uses com-
at PTDI facility, in the form of analysis posite materials and powered by pusher
and design for the KFX/IFX structure with type single piston engine, equipped with
direct supervision of the Korean Aerospace single Ground Control Station as central
Indonesia’s state-owned enterprise, PT Industry (KAI) senior engineers. This work control. The Wulung has the capability to
Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) also known was completed in September 2022. PTDI is perform ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance,
as Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) is one of the also participating in the Aircraft Component Reconnaissance). Besides, PTDI in coop-
largest aerospace firms in the Southeast Manufacturing (ACM) prototype compo- eration with a consortium of five other
Asia region. PTDI is showcasing its aero- nent productionActivities. institution are now developing UAV Medium
space prowess at the ongoing show with This work is being carried out at PTDI is Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) named
scale models of its N219 Amphibious specifically related to some of the metal Elang Hitam. The consortium consisted
version, N219, CN235-220, NC212i, KFX/ components of the aircraft’s wing and tail. of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence
IFX and Medium Altitude Long Endurance PTDI is also producing pylon components (MoD), the TNI-AU, state- owned aero-
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MALE UAV) for prototype aircraft 1 to 6. The ACM phase space company PT Dirgantara Indonesia
Elang Hitam. In an exclusive interview is planned to be completed by the end of (PTDI), national defence electronics com-
to Atul Chandra, Irlan Budiman, PTDI this year. PTDI engineers have already been pany PT Len Industri, the National Institute
Corporate Secretary provides insights into dispatched to KAI in Sacheon to participate of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), the
ongoing programmes at the Indonesian in the aircraft engineering and manufactur- Indonesian Agency for the Assessment and
airframer. ing development. Application of Technology (BPPT), and the
Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
Edited Excerpts from the Interview. 2. Please elaborate on the domestic and The first prototype of the Elang Hitam was
export market for the CN-235? implemented at PTDI’s facilities in Bandung
1. Please elaborate on PTDI’s role in the on 30 December 2019, and the next plan is
IF-X 5th generation fighter programme and We expect sustained demand for the to carry out an inaugural flight test.

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