Research and technology minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said here on Thursday that the aircraft would serve among other regions in Papua which are geographically difficult to reach.
"The funds for making the aircraft has been made available. So, if the design is finished it will immediately be handed over to PT Dirgantara Indonesia for immediate manufacturing," he said.
He said he hoped the plane could be finished this year. He added he would cooperate with the National Aeronautic and Aviation Institute (Lapan) and the Agency of Technology Assessment and Application (BPPT) in designing the N-219.
"The design of the N-219 plane would be self-made unlike the fighter type whose design is now being made in cooperation with South Korea," he said.
(H-YH/O001)
Editor: Maryati
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