First AS565 MBe Panthers delivered to PTDI
The first three AS565 MBe Panther helicopters on order for the Indonesian Navy have been handed over to PT Dirgantara Indonesia by Airbus Helicopters, the company announced on 23 November.
Eleven AS565 MBe Panther helicopters are on order under a contract signed in 2014. They are being delivered to PT Dirgantara Indonesia for reassembly and outfitting in-country. This will include the installation of the anti-submarine warfare suite complete with dipping sonar and torpedo launch systems, to meet the Indonesian Navy’s requirements.
The delivery of the remaining helicopters by Airbus Helicopters will run through to 2018.
Janick Blanc, head of the Panther programme at Airbus Helicopters, said: ‘We are excited to witness the handover of the first three AS565 MBe helicopters to our partner today.
‘The AS565 MBe has been developed using state-of-the-art processes and this enhanced variant of the Panther will benefit from an increased maximum take-off weight at 4,500kg. This will provide increased mission capabilities, specifically for the anti-submarine warfare missions these rotorcraft are expected to perform.’
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