A contract has been signed between Eurocopter and PT Dirgantara Indonesia/Indonesian Aerospace for the supply of six EC725. To be received in 2014, Indonesian Aerospace will customise and deliver these combat search and rescue configured helicopters to the Indonesian Air Force under a contract signed with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence last month.

The aircraft, for delivery from Eurocopter starting in 2014, will be shipped to Indonesian Aerospace’s facility in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, where they will be reassembled and customised before delivery to the Indonesian Air Force under a contract signed, between the Ministry of Defence and Indonesian Aerospace, on March 12, 2012. The EC725, a combat-proven multi-role helicopter in the 11-tonne class, was selected by the Air Force in 2011 to meet its requirements for a combat search and rescue capable helicopter fleet.

“The selection of the EC725 by the Air Force is a renewed demonstration of the confidence that the Indonesian Air Force has in the Super Puma family of helicopters and enables Eurocopter to further strengthen its long-standing relationship with Indonesian Aerospace relating to the Super Puma family,” said Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations.

The EC725, a member of Eurocopter’s successful Super Puma/Cougar family, will further extend Indonesian Aerospace’s involvement with the type. As well as building several SA330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma under licence in Bandung for the Air Force, Indonesian Aerospace has held a contract with Eurocopter since 2008 for the manufacture of EC225 and EC725 tail booms and complete airframe assemblies.

“This contract for the EC725 will propel Indonesian Aerospace into a new era of cooperation with Eurocopter, enhancing the company’s capabilities at the forefront of rotorcraft technology,” stated Budi Santoso, President of Indonesian Aerospace.

The twin-engine EC725/EC225 rotary-wing aircraft family features high-performance navigation and mission systems, including a unique digital four-axis autopilot. Offering excellent flight autonomy, this powerful machine is also great for tactical transport as it has a large cabin with seating for 25 persons. As a result, the EC725 military version and its EC225 civilian/parapublic variant have become the reference for civil and military search and rescue, offshore and passenger transport missions around the world.