"Panther now becomes one of the best anti-submarine warfare, light/moderate platforms in the world," Airbus Helicopters Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Philippe Monteux, said in a press statement issued during Indo Defence Expo 2014 at JIExpo, in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Airbus Helicopters will deliver the AS565 MBe helicopters in three years time. Under a strategic industrial agreement with Airbus Helicopters, state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia will equip the rotorcraft with mission-supporting appliances before handing over the helicopters to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
The appliances include dipping sonar Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) and torpedo launch system that will equip the fleet with a very effective system for operations from land and ship deck.
"This modern and reliable solution meets the maritime criteria of Indonesia and other countries in Asia and the Pacific thanks to our partnership with PT Dirgantara Indonesia and the best system suppliers in this industry," he said.
The order will augment the Indonesian military (TNI)s fleet of rotorcraft Airbus helicopters which safeguard state defence on land, at sea and in the air.
The additional fleet comprise light Colibri EC120 for training; Fennec and BO-105 for light assault mission; Panther for anti-submarine warfare mission; and Puma and Super Puma operated by the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU). TNI AU will also soon receive EC725 helicopters for search and rescue operations.
(s012/o001)
Reported by Syaiful Hakim
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
