Customization To Be Completed By Indonesian Aerospace

A contract for the supply of six EC725 combat SAR helicopters was signed Thursday between Eurocopter and PT Dirgantara Indonesia/Indonesian Aerospace. The company will customize and deliver these combat search and rescue configured helicopters to the Indonesian Air Force in 2014 under a contract signed with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence last month.

The aircraft will be shipped to Indonesian Aerospace's facility in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, where they will be reassembled and customized before delivery. The EC725, a combat-proven multi-role helicopter in the 11-ton class, was selected by the Air Force in 2011 to meet its requirements for a Combat Search and Rescue capable helicopter fleet.

"The selection of the EC725 by the Air Force is a renewed demonstration of the confidence that the Indonesian Air Force has in the Super Puma family of helicopters and enables Eurocopter to further strengthen its long standing relationship with Indonesian Aerospace relating to the Super Puma family," said Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations.

The EC725, a member of Eurocopter's Super Puma/Cougar family, will further extend Indonesian Aerospace's involvement with the type. As well as building several SA330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma under license in Bandung for the Air Force, Indonesian Aerospace has held a contract with Eurocopter since 2008 for the manufacture of EC225 and EC725 tail booms and complete airframe assemblies.

"This contract for the EC725 will propel Indonesian Aerospace into a new era of co-operation with Eurocopter, enhancing the company's capabilities at the forefront of rotorcraft technology," stated Budi Santoso, President Director of Indonesian Aerospace.

The twin-engine EC725/EC225 rotary-wing aircraft family features high-performance navigation and mission systems, including a unique digital four-axis autopilot. Offering excellent flight autonomy, this powerful machine is also great for tactical transport as it has a large cabin with seating for 25 persons. As a result, the EC725 military version and its EC225 civilian/parapublic variant have become the reference for civil and military search and rescue, off-shore and passenger transport missions around the world. (Image provided by Eurocopter. Sitting at the table: left, Mr Norbert Ducrot Eurocopter, Senior Executive Vice President Asia-Pacific; Right Mr Budi Santoso, President Director of Indonesian Aerospace. Also attending was Mr Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS Group, standing, center)

FMI: www.eurocopter.com