Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – The Indonesian government is fully supporting the promotion of domestic defense industry products, including the N219 Nurtanio aircraft, at the upcoming Indo Defence Expo and Forum, set to take place in Jakarta from June 11-14, 2025.
Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto emphasized that the exhibition provides a crucial opportunity to showcase the N219, an aircraft produced by state-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI).
“This exhibition is an ideal moment to introduce the N219 to a wider audience,” Taufanto stated on Wednesday, June 4. “There are numerous partners who can benefit from the N219.”
Taufanto highlighted that the N219 is a passenger aircraft specifically designed for archipelagic countries like Indonesia. He noted that its technology matches the standards of commercial aircraft globally, while PTDI is also developing an amphibious version of the N219.
While some components are still sourced from abroad, Taufanto emphasized the aircraft’s distinctly Indonesian design. “The majority of this aircraft is made locally, especially in its design,” he added.
The Deputy Minister expressed hope that the Indo Defence exhibition would open doors for the N219 to enter the international market.
PTDI continues to innovate with the N219, currently working on an amphibious variant aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic development in remote, hard-to-reach areas.
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Adi Prastowo, PTDI’s Corporate Communications and Promotion Manager, explained that as an archipelagic nation, with 60 percent of its territory covered by water, Indonesia needs transportation solutions for isolated areas that are difficult to access by land.
“With much of the area being water, there’s also great potential for water tourism using amphibious aircraft. This transportation could meet connectivity needs for tourist destinations and also serve as a logistics solution to support the local economy,” Prastowo said.
The amphibious version of the N219 will feature a composite material floater in place of wheels, enabling the aircraft to land on water. PTDI is committed to ongoing research and development, utilizing its production facilities and conducting rigorous laboratory tests.
The basic version of the N219 will see performance improvements, including an increase in Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) from 6,700 kg to 7,030 kg, and a rise in payload capacity from 1,550 kg to 1,900 kg. With the addition of the 600 kg floater, the aircraft will be capable of carrying up to 1,300 kg, equivalent to 17 passengers.
For the development of the composite floaters, PTDI is collaborating with AEROCET and MOMENTUM, American manufacturers of amphibious aircraft, with the aim of achieving international certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by 2026.
“The N219 amphibious aircraft is targeted to make its first flight in 2026 and obtain certification from Indonesia’s Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations in 2027,” Prastowo concluded, signaling plans for the aircraft to be commercialized globally. (BL)