The Indonesian Air Force has ordered eight additional twin-engine multirole Airbus Helicopters H225M helicopters to reinforce its combat search and rescue (CSAR) fleet.

Under the agreement between the Indonesian Ministry of Defence and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) (PTDI), the 11-ton helicopters will be delivered to the air force upon reassembly and completion of the mission equipment outfitting and customisation by PTDI at its facility in Bandung, Indonesia.

These additional helicopters will join the air force’s existing fleet of six H225Ms to perform similar CSAR missions.

Airbus Helicopters relation with Indonesia dates back to 1976, when PTDI first obtained a licence to produce the NBO-105 helicopter. Specifically on the H225, PTDI became a key supplier of the helicopter’s rear fuselage and main airframe in 2008, with full production in place in Indonesia by 2011.

The two companies expanded the industrial co-operation in 2017, to include support and services dedicated for the Indonesian military fleet of helicopters.

The H225M — first delivered in 2006, to the French Air Force — is currently operational in France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, and has recently been ordered by Hungary, Kuwait and Singapore.