The Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto handed over eight transport helicopters, the H225M, a collaborative effort between PTDI and Airbus Helicopters from France, to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, at Lanud Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base (AFB) on December 2. These eight helicopters were delivered gradually, starting with the first unit dispatched on September 14, 2023, from the Rotary Wing Hangar Apron of PTDI in Bandung, heading towards Atang Sendjaja AFB. The event was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense, the Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense, the Assistant Deputy of the Manufacturing Industry of the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, the President Director of Len, the President Director of PTDI, Representatives from the French Embassy, and Airbus.
Before the helicopter handover ceremony, Defense Minister Prabowo conveyed his appreciation and expressed it as an honor to deliver the helicopters and H225M simulator to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU). Following his address, Defense Minister Prabowo conducted the helicopter handover process, commencing with the unveiling of the unit’s insignia curtain, breaking a ceremonial pot, sprinkling flower water, handing over the key and a miniature H225M to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and inspecting the helicopters. Subsequently, Minister Prabowo inaugurated the Full Flight Simulator (FFS) H225M, marked by a plaque signing. The Full Flight Simulator (FFS) H225M built at Lanud ATS is a Flight Simulator Training Device with the highest level and the only one in Southeast Asia qualified under the FAA regulatory basis (14 CFR Part 60).
The Airbus Helicopters H225M (previously called as Eurocopter EC725) or Caracal, is a long-range tactical transport military helicopter developed from the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar for military use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 28 seated troops along with two crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, and combat search and rescue duties, and is similar to the civilian EC225 Super Puma. The EC725 can be equipped with various military equipment and armaments, such as a pair of 7.62 mm FN MAG machine guns mounted within forward left and right windows, or a pair of 68 mm (2.75″) Thales Brandt or Forges de Zeebrugge side-mounted rocket launchers, each with 19 rockets, or the MU90 Impact aerial-launched torpedo.
In November 2014, the Indonesian Air Force took delivery of the first of six EC725s for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations. PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) performs the maintenance, repair and overhaul activities upon Indonesia’s EC725 fleet; the firm also supply the tail booms and airframe assemblies for EC225s and EC725s worldwide, the first locally assembled main fuselage assembly was delivered in November 2013. The Indonesian Air Force already fields six H225M helicopters ordered in 2012, with deliveries ongoing. These aircraft are operated in the combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) and special forces support roles by Aviation Squadron 9, based at Suryadarma in Jakarta. At the time that the first contract was announced it was noted that up to 10 additional helicopters would be procured.
