In the export market, Thailand is the second customer that buys the most aircraft produced by PTDI because the products considered suitable for the terrain and Thai defense needs.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – An Indonesian aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia or so-called PTDI has exported one unit of NC212i aircraft for the Thai Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA).

The plane was flown from the PTDI Delivery Center hangar in Bandung city, West Java province, to the Nakhon Sawan Air Base, Muang, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, and is scheduled to arrive on Aug. 3, 2022.

The NC212i aircraft with the tail number AX-2129 took off from Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung to Sultan Syarif Qasim Airport in Pekanbaru, Riau province, PTDI's Director of Finance, Risk Management & HR, Wildan Arief, explained in a press release received here on Tuesday.

From Pekanbaru, the plane will be flown to Hat Yai International Airport in Thailand’s southern region which is close to Malaysian border, and continue to the Nakhon Sawan Air Base, Muang, Nakhon Sawan, as the final destination.

The plane was flown by PTDI’s test pilot Captain Esther Gayatri Saleh as Pilot in Command Ferry and Acceptance Mission, and PTDI’s test pilot Captain Adi Budi as Copilot.

Wildan explained, the NC212i has very diverse capabilities. "What we sent today is a troop transport configuration that can be modified for rain making," he said.

This specification of the NC212i is ideal for Thailand's geographical conditions. In addition, another type of aircraft that also fits Thailand's geography is the N219, which is expected to become the next purchase by Thailand.

"We do not only provide and sell aircraft, but also deliver and after-sales services, along with spare parts supports. These are the reason many countries are comfortable with us, because PTDI can be a one stop service for them," Wildan added.

The NC212i aircraft is planned to carry out final acceptance by DRRAA Thailand, on Aug. 4, 2022, which will be witnessed directly by Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Rachmat Budiman.

Contract

The procurement contract for one unit of NC212i was signed on June 18, 2020 between PTDI and AICE Enterprises (Thai) Co. Ltd. with the end user being the Thai Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA).

"Besides this unit of aircraft, there is one more NC212i aircraft from another contract which will be delivered this year to Thailand. The target is December 2022," Wildan said.

The NC212i can be used for passenger transport, VIP, cargo, rain making, troop/paratroop transport and medical evacuation operations.

The NC212i is fully manufactured by PTDI, making this Indonesian aerospace technology company the only aircraft industry in worldwide that currently produces these multifunctional aircraft.

So far, PTDI has succeeded in delivering 466 aircraft and helicopters for the domestic and foreign markets, among them are 120 NC212 series.

Domestic operators using the NC212 series are the Indonesian militaries of Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, and the National Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology for civil, military and Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) transportation purposes.

Meanwhile, foreign operators using the NC212 series are Thailand for military transport aircraft and weather modification (rain making), as well as the Philippines and Vietnam for military transport aircraft.

In the export market, Thailand is the second customer that buys the most aircraft produced by PTDI because the products considered suitable for the terrain and Thai defense needs.

In addition, Thailand's geographical location, which is close to Indonesia, facilitates after sales supports.

The NC212i is the latest generation multipurpose aircraft from NC212 with a capacity of 28 passengers, has ramp doors, winglets, a spacious cabin in its class, more modern navigation and communication systems, lower operating costs but remains competitive in the small aircraft market.

Reporting by Indonesia Window