Indonesian Army Aviation Command Receives Its Eighth Bell 412 EPI Utility Helicopter

State-owned aircraft manufacturer PTDI (PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Indonesian Aerospace) announced on 9 February that it has delivered one Bell 412EPI utility helicopter to the Indonesian Army Aviation Command. The rotorcraft is part of a USD183 million contract signed with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence in Jakarta in December 2018 for nine Bell 412EPI helicopters customised by PTDI to meet Indonesian Army requirements. The previous helicopters of the type were delivered to the Army Aviation Center’s 11th Air Squadron. Indonesia has plans to have a fleet of 40 Bell-412 EPI aircraft.

The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. Over 700 Model 412s (including 260 by AgustaWestland) have been built. In 2013 Bell introduced the 412EPI which includes an electronic (Digital) engine control for a PT6T-9 engine upgrade, and a glass cockpit display system. Also featured is a Garmin touchscreen navigation system, and the BLR Strake and Fast Fin upgrades for improved hover performance. The Bell 412EPI is particularly popular in military, and law enforcement use.

American aerospace manufacturer Bell Textron and PTDI have been working together to support the Indonesian Armed Forces since 1982. In 2016 Bell and PTDI signed an extension to the original industrial and commercial agreement reached in 2012. Established in 1976 as a state owned company, PTDI has developed its capability as an aircraft manufacturer and diversified into other areas. PTDI performs customisation work on the aircraft, including assembling Gatling gun weapons and bullets. While the Gatling gun will be procured from Dillon Aerospace, the bullets will be provided by Indonesian state-owned defense company PT Pindad.

Headquartered in Bandung, Indonesia, PTDI is one of the indigenous aerospace companies in Asia with core competences in aircraft structure manufacturing, aircraft production, services for both civilian and military. PTDI have another collaboration project with Airbus Helicopters for various kinds of helicopters and Bell Textron Inc. in producing the tail boom, door assembly, door post, pylon and ducts for the Bell 412 and Huey II helicopters. Since established in August 1976, PTDI has handed over to customers approximately 448 aircraft. Of these 448, 253 are helicopters and of these 253 helicopters have delivered 63 of which are Bell 412 series.