Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto stated that the exhibition will provide an ideal momentum to showcase the aircraft produced by state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI).
"There are actually many (partners) who can utilize the N219," he stated on Wednesday (June 4).
Taufanto explained that the N219 is a passenger aircraft well-suited for archipelagic countries like Indonesia.
He noted that the technology in N219 is no less sophisticated than commercial aircraft in general. Moreover, he noted that PTDI is currently developing an amphibious version of the N-219 aircraft.
While some components of the aircraft are still sourced from abroad, Taufanto emphasized that this aircraft features a unique Indonesian characteristic, particularly in its design.
"Most of it is our product, especially the design is our own,” Taufanto noted.
Hence, he expressed hope that this year’s Indo Defence exhibition will serve as a bridge for the N219 to enter the international market.
PTDI continues to develop the N219 aircraft into an amphibious version, aimed at improving connectivity and economic growth in remote areas.
The company’s corporate communications and promotion manager Adi Prastowo explained that as an archipelagic country with 60 percent of its territory consisting of water, Indonesia requires more innovation in transportation, especially for remote areas that are difficult to reach by land transportation.
"On the other hand, with so much of the area being water, there is also great potential to develop water tourism using amphibious aircraft. This type of transportation is also believed to be able to meet the connectivity needs of tourist destinations and can serve as a means of logistics transport to support the people's economy in the surrounding area," he stated.
He noted that the N219 aircraft, currently being developed into an amphibious variant, will be equipped with a composite material floater to replace wheels for landing in open waters.
During development, PTDI has remained fully committed to its research and development through the inclusion of working hours, utilization of production facilities, and laboratory tests.
The basic version of the N219 aircraft will see performance improvements, with the Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW) increasing from the previous 6,700 kg to 7,030 kg, and payload capacity rising from the previous 1,550 kg to 1,900 kg.
Adding a floater weighing around 600 kg will allow the aircraft to carry a load of up to 1,300 kg, or equivalent to a load of 17 passengers.
For the development of composite floaters, PTDI is collaborating with AEROCET and MOMENTUM, an American amphibious aircraft manufacturer, aiming to achieve international standard certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2026.
"Later, the N219 amphibious aircraft can be commercialized globally. The N219 amphibious aircraft is targeted to make its first flight in 2026 and obtain certification from the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations of the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation in 2027," Prastowo remarked.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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