Indonesian Aerospace

Pioneering

Though aircraft production in Indonesia existed before independence in 1945, the National Aviation Industry was pioneered in 1946 at Yogyakarta by the formation of Planning and Construction Bureau (Indonesian: Biro Rencana dan Konstruksi) within the Indonesian Air Force. Wiweko Soepono, Nurtanio Pringgoadisurjo, and J. Sumarsono, opened a simple workshop at Magetan, near Madiun. With basic materials, gliders were designed and built – Zogling, NWG-1 (Nurtanio Wiweko Glider) among others.

In 1948, a motorised aircraft, WEL-X was built by Wiweko Soepono using a Harley Davidson engine. The small craft was registered as RI-X. This era marked the rise of several aeromodelling clubs.

The war for independence, however, halted all progress until 1953. In that year, The Experimental Section (Seksi Percobaan) was organised. Consisting of only 15 personnel, led by Nurtanio Pringgoadisurjo, The team built and tested three prototypes of a single-seat all metal aircraft at Andir Airport (Later renamed Husein Sastranegara International Airport) in Bandung.

On 24 April 1957, The Experimental Section graduated into The Inspection, Trial, and Production Sub-Depot (Indonesian: Sub Depot Penyelidikan, Percobaan dan Pembuatan) based on Decision Letter of Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff number 68.

In 1958, a light training aircraft prototype named Belalang 89, or Grasshopper 89, was flown. The design was later produced as Belalang 90. Five Belalang 90 were built and used for military training. Within the same year, a sport plane, "Kunang 25", was also built and flown.

Preparation

On 1 August 1960, by the order of Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff (order #488), The Aviation Industry Preparation Body was to be formed to establish the National Aircraft Industry. By 16 December 1961, the new body, known as LAPIP (Lembaga Persiapan Industri Penerbangan), was actively negotiating for technological transfers and contracts.

LAPIP was able to secure a joint licensing and production contract with Poland. Within the same year, Indonesia was producing PZL-104 Wilga or locally named Gelatik. 44 were produced for agriculture, transport, and aero club purposes.

In 1965, Aircraft Industry Project Implementation Command (Komando Pelaksana Proyek Industri Pesawat Terbang (KOPELAPIP)) and Independent Aircraft Industry National Company (PN. Industri Pesawat Terbang Berdikari) were formed to expand and formulate specific uses of the young aviation industry.

Within the same timeline, Aviation Studies were promoted in the country's top universities. One of the first schools was founded within the machine department of the engineering faculty of Institut Teknologi Bandung ITB by Oetarjo Diran and Liem Keng Kie.

In September 1974, Pertamina's Advanced Technology Division signed a license contract with MBB and CASA for producing Bölkow Bo 105 and CASA C.212 Aviocar.

Nurtanio Aircraft Industry

On 26 April 1976, mandated by Government Act No. 15, in Jakarta, PT. Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio was officially established with Dr. BJ. Habibie as the President Director. The infrastructure was completed and inaugurated on 23 August 1976 by President Suharto. The new body was a merge between Nurtanio Aviation Industry Body (Lembaga Industri Penerbangan Nurtanio/LIPNUR) and Pertamina's Advanced Technology Division.

The name Nurtanio is a tribute to Nurtanio Pringgoadisuryo, one of the first aviation pioneers in Indonesia, who designed the Sikumbang, an indigenous all metal aircraft (maiden flight: 1 August 1954).

Initially, IPTN manufactured The NBO 105 (MBB Bo 105), under license by MBB – Followed by NC 212 (CASA C-212 Aviocar), under license by CASA.

In March 1966, Nurtanio Pringgoadisurjo died in a flight testing accident. The Aviation Industry Preparation Body was then renamed Nurtanio Aviation Industry Body (Indonesian: Lembaga Industri Penerbangan Nurtanio (Abbreviated as LIPNUR)).

Nusantara Aircraft Industry

On 11 October 1985, the name PT. Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio was changed to the PT. Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara or IPTN. Nusantara signifies the Indonesian 17,000 island archipelago.

The exclusion of "Nurtanio" from IPTN was due to some highly questionable accusations. One of the allegations was a personal use of company's letterhead by Nurtanio's family to appropriate some IPTN stocks. None was proven true.

Dirgantara Indonesia / Indonesian Aerospace

Following the 1997 Asian financial crisis, a major restructuring program was implemented. At its peak, in 2004, the Indonesian Aerospace reduced its payroll from 9670 to 3720. Furthermore, the 18 business divisions were reorganised into the following:

The restructuring focused on new business goals, downsizing and adaptation of man-power according to available workloads, and a pinpoint market targeting along with a concentrated business mission.

The IPTN was re-introduced as PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (abbreviated DI) or Indonesian Aerospace (abbreviated IAe). IAe was officially inaugurated by the President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, in Bandung on 24 August 2000.

In 4 July 2011 Indonesia's government said it will inject Rp.2 trillion ($234 million) to Indonesian Aerospace to keep the debt-ridden firm afloat with a view to making a joint venture with EADS. Before injection the unpaid debt to government was Rp.1.1 trillion ($129 million).

IAe Services

IAe facilities

Indonesian Aerospace covers an area of 86.98 ha. The backbone of the production is sustained by 232 high tech operations. Apart from these, there are other minor high-tech facilities spread over various assembly lines, laboratories, and service & maintenance units. They are located mainly in Bandung.

Indonesian Aerospace and its precursors

(PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) – (IAe) Indonesian Aerospace)

AURI

(Angkatan Udara Republik Indonesia, Depot Penjelidikan, Pertjobaan dan Pembuatan – Indonesian Air force research, development, and production depot)

LIPNUR

(Lembaga Industri Penerbangan Nurtanio – Nurtanio Aviation Industry Institution)

Nurtanio

IAe Aircraft production

IAe Subcontracts for aircraft components

IAe Armaments

Development products

Indonesian Aerospace has planned to build N-245 to carry 50 passengers for about 400 kilometres distance in remote areas or where passenger demand is low. The N-245 is only modification development of CN-235 body shape with CN-235 and EADS CASA C-295 wing designs, but the tail will be a new design. The development cost of N-245 until its prototype is about $150 million with its break even point of N-245 is only 50–70 aircraft, while if built from beginning it will cost $1.5–2.0 billion. The competitors are ATR 42 and Bombardier Dash 8 Q300.