Minister hands new Puma helicopter to air force

Antara News, Thursday, December 30, 2010

Bogor, West Java (ANTARA News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro handed over a NAS-332 Super Puma helicopter made by PT Dirgantara Indonesia to the Indonesian Air Force at Atang Sendjaja airbase, Bogor, West Java, on Thursday.

"Our plan is for the Air Force to have nine helicopters. Now it already has seven units, including the one we handed over today. Two other units are still being manfactured by PT DI," the ministers said.

Purnomo said six units had been made earlier by PT DI, four of which were used for SAR operations and the two others for VVIP service.

He said he had cooperated with PT DI for the production of the helicopters because he wished to use domestic products for strengthening the country`s defense.

He said the procurement of the Super Puma was for increasing the defense capability. Even in 2010 a blueprint (the minimum essential force-MEF) has been formulated regarding the country`s needs for defense equipment until 2024 including "the strength of operational units, weaponry and the budget."

"Therefore in the leadership meeting to be held on January 6, 2011 I would ask the TNI (defense forces) to conduct a review again so that no item would be left unnoticed," he said.

Squadron 8 at Atang Sandjaja has eight SA-330 Puma helicopters and based on the MEF plan it would be strengthened with 16 units more of Helicopter EC-725.

NAS-332 Super Puma is capable of carriying two crew and 18 to 24 passengers and is 16.9 meter long and weighs 4,460 kilograms. It has a maximum speed of 278 kilometers per hour and may fly at altitude of more than 7,200 meters high or 19,750 feet.