PTDI Signs Deals With Industry Leaders

PT DIRGANTARA Indonesia (PTDI) is reinforcing and expanding its capabilities by inking various deals with industry leaders at the 10th Indo Defence Expo & Forum. PTDI expanded on their future prospects by inking deals with several defence firms including Milkor, Bell Textron, Leonardo, Naval Group, KNDS, Scytalys and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) among others.

Through these strategic partnerships, PTDI reaffirmed its aims of creating sustainable, mission-flexible solutions for both civil and military applications through deeper industrial cooperation, enhanced workforce development initiatives, and contributing to the growth of Indonesia’s aerospace capabilities along with the nation’s broader economic development goals.

PTDI initiated cooperation with South African firm Milkor to explore strategic collaboration in the joint development of light and medium-class UAVs. In this partnership, Milkor will support PTDI in enhancing its UAV capabilities, particularly on the Wulung and MALE UAV platforms.

Additionally, PTDI is engaged in cooperation with the Defense Potential Directorate of the Indonesian MOD as part of the offset programme related to the ANKA UAV procurement contract between the MOD and TUSAS. This collaboration builds on a previous agreement including technology transfer as well as enhancement of domestic capabilities in UAV manufacturing and maintenance.

Moreover, it outlined future plans for joint development of light- and medium-class UAVs and expansion of market access for UAVs in Indonesia by leveraging the technological capabilities of both companies, and sharing strategic insights – all aimed at creating long-term added value for PTDI and Milkor.

Following that, American rotorcraft hallmark Bell Textron and PTDI also committed to enhance their collaboration in supplying Special Mission Bell helicopters to the Indonesian Armed Forces and government agencies. The helicopters would encompass a wide range of specialised roles, including but not limited to search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation, and armed reconnaissance missions, with PTDI serving as the mission equipment integrator.

Bell and PTDI would also collaborate on developing and delivering aftermarket solutions, such as by-the-hour support models, performance-based logistics, and other innovative maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the Bell helicopters operated by the Indonesian government.

Bell has delivered more than 70 aircraft to PTDI in its over 50-year presence in the country where an estimated 110 aircraft are still flying. Bell’s presence includes a Bell-authorised customer service facility, two authorised maintenance centres, and dedicated customer service engineers located in Jakarta.

Following that, PTDI signed a contract with the Indonesian MOD for the procurement of six Leonardo AW189 heavy-lift helicopters from Italy. The contract was symbolically signed by PTDI President Director, Gita Amperiawan in the presence of the President Prabowo Subianto and the defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. It is a strategic advancement in strengthening the air defence capabilities, as well as mobility and reach of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) through the acquisition of the multi-mission AW189 which would serve a wide range of operational requirements.

In addition, the agreement opens new opportunities for PTDI to expand its technical expertise in helicopter maintenance, integrated support systems, and related aerospace services. The inclusion of the AW189 platform further enriches PTDI’s portfolio and reinforces its position as a leading aerospace hub in the region.

PTDI and France’s Naval Group also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) symbolically between PTDI’s Director of Commerce, Technology & Development, Mohd Arif Faisal, and Naval Group’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Marie Laurie Bourgeois. This collaboration aims to support the growth of national industrial capabilities in sub-surface maritime defence, a significant step in PTDI’s expansion beyond its expertise in aerospace to the maritime domain.

Aside from that, cooperation opportunities in the naval industry, including the production of wiring harness systems, mechanical structures and components, and composite materials in addition to the development and provision of training systems, such as Computer-Based Training (CBT), Computer-Based Learning (CBL), and Part Task Trainers (PTT). Furthermore, the partnership will focus on the integration of weapon systems for submarine platforms, with a particular emphasis on torpedo systems—covering both technical aspects and logistical support.

Another French firm, KNDS joined forces with PTDI to develop and integrate 20mm weapon systems for rotary-wing platforms, a big step towards PTDI’s long-term efforts to enhance its technical and industrial capabilities in integrated weapon systems, further strengthening PTDI’s positioning within the global defence industry ecosystem.

Lastly, Scytalys and PTDI also agreed to partner on market development and mission system integration for the N219 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) variant, which will feature the Airborne Command and Control system from MIMS, along with the integration of Scytalys’ Command and Control systems into the aircraft platform. This partnership aims to enhance the operational capability of the N219 for maritime surveillance missions and broaden its market reach.

PTDI At Indo Defence

PTDI exhibited its capabilities in special mission aircraft development, including the CN235-220 and Bell 412 platforms for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, the production of Folding Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR), Wrap Around Fin Aerial Rockets (WAFAR), the NC212i and N219 aircraft, Wulung and Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programmes, and collaborative products with domestic and global industry partners.

One MALE UAV named Elang Hitam designed in 2017, was on display outdoor at the exhibition, the result of a strategic collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MOD), Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU), academies, PT Len Industri (Persero) where PTDI served as the Lead Integrator.

The platform has undergone various tests, with another test scheduled for July. It will support strategic surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering (ISR) missions and can also be adapted for civil applications such as border patrol, maritime monitoring, and disaster response, depending on mission needs.