Indonesia orders 9 Bell 412EPi and 8 Airbus H225M helicopters

A Bell 412EP built under license by PT Dirganta Indonesia (PTDI) for the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD). The Indonesian Ministry of Defence ordered 9 of the latest Bell 412EPI for the TNI-AD, in addition to 8 Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU). Photo c/o PTDI.

Indonesian state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) announced that the Indonesian Ministry of Defence has ordered 17 new helicopters, consisting of 8 Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU), and 9 Bell 412EPI for the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD).

It is expected that the H225M helicopters would be delivered by Airbus to PTDI as it would still undergo customized mission essential fitting works, while PTDI is expected to license-build the Bell 412EPI as it holds a license for the type from Bell Helicopters.

The TNI-AU already operate 3 of the 6 Airbus H225M helicopters it ordered in 2012, which are assigned for Vombat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and special operations support. This follow-on order for 8 more helicopters 

Meanwhile, the TNI-AD has been operating the Bell 412 family since the 1980s as the service's standard utility helicopter. The Bell 412EPI is currently the latest variant of the 412 family, and is essentially a "digitalized" Bell 412EP equipped with features like Bell's BasiX Pro Integrsted Avionic System, and a more powerful engine.



[1] PTDI Twitter
[2] IHS Jane's
[3] Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.