IPTN signs six new plane deals

IPTN signs six new plane deals

PARIS (JP): Various deals were struck out of negotiations held
here yesterday amid the thundering noise of new fighter planes
making display flights at Le Bourget.

Six such deals were signed at the PT IPTN chalet at Le
Bourget, the venue of the on-going Air Show.

A major deal was signed between IPTN and the Indonesian Armed
Forces (ABRI) for the procurement of 16 Superpuma helicopters,
which the Indonesian state aircraft industry (IPTN) produces
under license at its plant in Bandung, West Java.

IPTN President B.J. Habibie and ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung
signed a memorandum of understanding.

Under the agreement, ABRI has also agreed to purchase 10 NC-
212 planes which IPTN produces jointly with CASA of Spain, and
IPTN will refurbish 11 Puma helicopters currently in ABRI's
fleet.

Habibie later signed another agreement, to sell six NC-212
planes, with Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto, and
another with Eurocopter's President Bigay regarding support for
Superpuma equipment.

Another deal was signed by Ilham Habibie, the IPTN project
officer for the development of the N-2130 jet, with Snecma of
France, which was represented by Vice President Philip Humbert.

President IPTN-Europe, a subsidiary of IPTN based in Germany,
signed an agreement with Bureau Veritas of France, which was
represented by Vice President for Aeronautics and Space Division
Alain Chapgier.

The last deal was signed between the Indonesian Agency for
Strategic Industries (BPIS), represented by Paramajuda, and
Arthur Johnson, President of System Integration Group of Lockheed
Martin Corp.

IPTN appears to have arrived in full force, with virtually
everyone at the top of its leadership attending to help promote
the image of Indonesia's young aircraft industry.

The company took two planes to Paris, the N-250, the wholly
Indonesian designed turboprop twin engineer aircraft, and the
military version of the CN-235, which is also jointly developed
with CASA.

The N-250 is the first Asian commercial plane to take part in
the Paris show.

Gen. Feisal's presence here raised speculations that the
Indonesian military was shopping for a new jet fighter after
President Soeharto's sudden decision last month to cancel
Indonesia's plan to purchase nine F-16 fighters from the United
States.

Other officials visiting the show include State Minister of
National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Air
Force Chief of Staff Marshal Sutria Tubagus. (emb)