We plan to procure aircraft in 2020-2021 to seed clouds by dispersing salt into the air to produce artificial rains immediately.Bandung (ANTARA) - The Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) plans to purchase another aircraft from state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) to conduct cloud seeding.
"We plan to procure aircraft during the 2020-2021 period to seed clouds by dispersing salt into the air to produce artificial rains immediately," BPPT Chief Hammam Riza stated during a rollout of a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) type drone at PT Dirgantara Indonesia in Bandung, West Java, on Monday.
To realize the plan, BPPT Chief Hammam Riza inked a letter of intent with PT Dirgantara Indonesia President Director Elfien Goentoro at PT Dirgantara Indonesia on Monday.
The BPPT has allocated Rp260 billion for the purchase of the NC212 aircraft.
Riza is optimistic that both sides will sign a contract for the purchase of the plane in 2020 for its production to be completed in 2020 or 2021.
Since 1993, the BPPT has operated PTDI-made NC212 aircraft to conduct weather modification technology to produce artificial rain. To carry out its cloud-seeding mission, the BPPT requires several aircraft, with specific configuration.
Currently, the BPPT only has one aircraft to conduct cloud seeding to produce rain, while Thailand has 20 aircraft to create artificial rain.
To control land and forest fires from engulfing several provinces in Indonesia a few months ago, the BPPT had borrowed the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) aircraft.
PT Dirgantara Indonesia President Director Elfien Goentoro stated that the NC212 aircraft is capable of carrying up to three tons of salt to seed clouds.
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Translator: Martha Herlinawati S/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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