PTDI Delivers CN235-220 Military Transport Aircraft to Nepal

30 Oktober 2019

CN235-220 for Nepalese Army (photo : rmol)

Bandung. W Java (ANTARA) - State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) delivered a military transport aircraft CN235-220 ordered by the Nepalese Army on Wednesday.

The plane that departed from the Husein Sastranegara Airbase in Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday (Oct 30) is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on Saturday (Nov 2), PTDI Director Elfien Goentoro stated at PTDI's fixed wing hangar in Bandung.

The plane was built in line with a US$30-million contract inked with the Nepalese Army in June 2017.

"Alhamdulillah (thank God), we can deliver the plane on time," he stated.

The aircraft has six configuration modes -- transport, cargo, paratroop, medevac, maritime patrol, and also VIP -- applicable in accordance with the need, he explained.

CN235-220 for Nepalese Army (photo : Kompas)

Nepal ordered the aircraft with several configuration modes. The complementary facilities of the configuration mode were delivered to Nepal earlier by a cargo aircraft, he revealed.

The CN235-220 aircraft was flown by Captain Esther Gayatri Saleh, as the test pilot in command, and flight instructor and Captain Ervan Gustanto, as the co-pilot.

The Nepalese Army is expected to conduct a subsequent flight test and final acceptance flight after the plane arrives in Nepal.

He noted that the contract is valued at some US$30 million. However, the value of the plane can also be influenced by spare parts costs and other requirements.

(Antara)