IPTN sells 113 helicopters

JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) has thus far sold 113 NBO-105 helicopters on the domestic market, a company vice president says.

IPTN Vice President for marketing, Pudji Sulaksono, said NBO- 105 helicopters, which costed Rp 3.5 billion (US$1.52 million) each, were multi-purpose vehicles that could be used for search and rescue operations, air traffic control, off-shore and military operations and aerial photography. They could also function as "air ambulances", Pudji said.

"Compared to their use, the price set by IPTN is not expensive," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

The helicopter, produced since the late 1970s, has a capacity of four passengers and one pilot, a flying range of up to 570 kilometers, a maximum speed of 242 kilometers per hour and a flying time of 3.4 hours.

Pudji said the buyers of the NBO-105 were the Batam island authority, the Ministry of Defense and Security, the National Police and several private companies.

Pudji said IPTN had so far produced 317 units of helicopters and aircraft worth a total of US$2 billion. (pwn)