Bogor – Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto handed over eight Airbus H225M heavy lift helicopters, originally named Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, to the TNI AU at Atang Sendjaja Air Base, Bogor, West Java, Friday, (1/12) .
The eight Airbus helicopters, which were all assembled and equipped by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI), are now officially strengthening Air Squadron 8 Wing 4 Atang Sendjaja Air Base.
Not only did he hand over eight helicopters to the TNI AU, which were received directly by the Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marsekal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo, Prabowo also inaugurated the Airbus Helicopters H225M full flight simulator at Atang Sendjaja Air Base.
“Today, we saw the handover of eight helicopters. This is not how much we need, because our territory is very large and those (TNI AU soldiers) who will be the crew of these helicopters are risking their lives. These sons, daughters, our children, “risking their lives all the time, they are willing, they are sincere. That’s why, today I feel proud to be among you, especially at Atang Sendjaja Air Base,” explained Menhan Prabowo during the H225M helicopter handover ceremony.
He emphasized that the Government, through the Ministry of Defense, is working hard to purchase the best main weapons system (alutsista) equipment for the TNI, especially the TNI AU, in order to strengthen Indonesia’s combat readiness and air defense.
“I and all levels of the Ministry of Defense will fight hard to improve your quality of life, improve the services you need, look for the best equipment, the best maintenance; so that we will truly have a reliable Air Force. We must have strength “reliable, superior air. That must be a collective determination,” stressed Menhan Prabowo.
During the handover ceremony for the eight H225M helicopters, Menhan Prabowo directly led the procession of watering flowers and breaking jugs into one of the noses or muzzles of the helicopters.
Then, Menhan Prabowo together with Marsekal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo and Chief of General Staff (Kasum) TNI Letjen TNI Bambang Ismawan, who represented Panglima TNI Jenderal TNI Agus Subiyanto, inspected the helicopter and inaugurated the H225M helicopter simulator.
The Airbus H225M Helicopters is a multipurpose heavy lift helicopter that functions for special operations, SAR, medical evacuation, maritime surveillance and aerial fire support.
The helicopter, designed by Airbus Helicopters, is equipped with a number of advanced devices, including modular design, use of composite materials, advanced avionics including LCD multi-function display, vehicle monitoring system and automatic flight control system.
The H225M also incorporates the new generation Turbomeca MAKILA 2A1 power plant and can be equipped with the HForce weapon system, a weapons system that allows for all types of air operations scenarios. Bembo
