Indonesian Air Force strengthened by new domestically-made transport aircraft
The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has received a new NC-212i transport aircraft, bearing tail number A-211, produced by PT Dirgantara Indonesia. According to an official press release from the Indonesian Air Force, the aircraft arrived at the Air Force headquarters on Thursday.
“The aircraft arrived at Air Squadron 4, Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, Malang, East Java, to strengthen Transport Group 1 through Air Squadron 4,” stated the Head of the Indonesian Air Force Information Service, Air Vice Marshal I Nyoman Suadnyana. He explained that the aircraft is the result of a defence procurement collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and PT DI.
Air Vice Marshal I Gusti Putu Setia Darma, Commander of Transport Group 1, noted that the acquisition is part of the Air Force’s ongoing efforts to modernise its main weapon systems (alutsista). He expressed confidence that improving the quality of military hardware would significantly bolster air defence capabilities. “With the increase in transport aircraft strength, the operational readiness of our units will improve to meet increasingly complex and dynamic task requirements,” he said.
Speaking in Bandung on Thursday, Dena Hendriana confirmed that the delivery is part of the commitment to fulfil the Ministry of Defence’s order. This represents the eighth unit of the nine ordered. The aircraft, with tail number AX-2135, is designed for versatile use, including troop transport, cloud seeding/weather modification operations, and aerial photo mapping. The use of EASA-certified MTV-27 propellers paired with Honeywell TPE331 engines provides significant performance advantages, such as lower vibration and noise, improved stability during single-engine flight at altitude, and smoother engine starts.
One remaining unit from the nine-unit contract is scheduled for completion and delivery by October 2027. The pilot in command, Lieutenant Colonel Pnb Andika Ardyagana, confirmed the reliability of the advanced hardware following its successful Flight Acceptance Certificate on 9 July 2026. He expressed hope that the aircraft would enhance the Air Force’s ability to safeguard Indonesia’s sovereignty.