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Jokowi gets new helicopter, draws criticism
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will use a new AgustaWestland (AW 101) helicopter from helicopter design and manufacturing company AgustaWestland next year, after the Indonesian Air Force purchased the lavish US$55 million aircraft for use in presidential duties and excursions
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AW101: President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will use a new AgustaWestland (AW 101) helicopter from helicopter design and manufacturing company AgustaWestland next year, after the Indonesian Air Force purchased the lavish US$55 million aircraft for use in presidential duties and excursions. (Photo courtesy of AgustaWestland official website) (AW 101) helicopter from helicopter design and manufacturing company AgustaWestland next year, after the Indonesian Air Force purchased the lavish US$55 million aircraft for use in presidential duties and excursions. (Photo courtesy of AgustaWestland official website)
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will use a new AgustaWestland (AW 101) helicopter from helicopter design and manufacturing company AgustaWestland next year, after the Indonesian Air Force purchased the lavish US$55 million aircraft for use in presidential duties and excursions. (Photo courtesy of AgustaWestland official website)
The Indonesian Airforce has purchased a $55 million helicopter set to arrive in the country next year to support President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's busy schedule.
The new helicopter, an AW-101 from Rome-based helicopter design and manufacturing company AgustaWestland, had been included in the Air Force's five-year strategic plan (renstra) 2014 to 2019, Air Force spokesman First Marshall Dwi Badarmanto said on Monday.
"It was not bought specially for the president only, but it will also be used by VVIP guests including the President, Vice President and state guests," he said as quoted by newsportal Tempo.co.
Dwi said the helicopter was purchased to replace the old Super Puma, which had been used for the past 25 years.
The first AW-101 will arrive in Indonesia next year and two more will be imported to the country in 2017.
Despite claiming that the helicopter was not purchased specially for Jokowi, Dwi said the new AW-101 would support the President's mobility due to its more advanced technology and speed with its three engines and greater passenger capacity.
'The Super Puma could only carry seven passengers, whereas the AW-101 can carry 13. It is also more comfortable,' he said.
The aircraft is 19.53 meters long with a rotor diameter if 18.59 meters. The 6.62-meters tall helicopter uses three Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01 turbo shaft engines of 1,566kW.
TB Hasanuddin, a lawmaker of the House or Representatives Commission I overseeing foreign and security affairs, slammed the purchase and urged the government to purchase one from Bandung-based state-owned aircraft-maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) instead.
The PDI-P lawmaker said that PT DI owned a license for assembly and modification of mid-lift helicopter NAS-330 Puma and NAS-332 Super Puma. NAS-332 Super Puma, he said, was cheaper than the AgustaWestland AW-101.
"Article 43 of the 2012 law on the defense industry states that it is not allowed to purchase foreign defense and security equipment if the state has the capability to produce it," he said as quoted by news agency Antara.
Moreover, Hasanuddin added, the government would not only spend $55 million for the new helicopter, as it would take another $5 million to install FLIR (forward looking infrared), chaff and flare dispenser, infrared scrambler and laser warning systems for protection from attack.
"By buying a domestic product, the state will benefit 30 percent from the base price at least for the domestic materials. [The order for PT DI] would also employ at least 700 people a year, investing Indonesians with developing skills," he said. (liz/rin)(+)
