Jakarta. State-owned aviation firm Dirgantara Indonesia aims for the government to complete a contract to purchase 24 Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk helicopters from US-based Lockheed Martin by the third quarter this year.

Dirgantara and Lockheed Martin signed an initial agreement on August 23, 2023, for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), contingent on the purchase plan's realization.

"We are currently monitoring the contract's effectiveness, as it involves foreign loan schemes. The loan agreement process is currently under the authority of the Finance Ministry, and we continue to monitor until the contract becomes effective," said President Director Gita Amperiawan in response to journalists during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday evening.

"Our hope is that by the third quarter, the contract can be effective and finalized at the Finance Ministry," she added.

In the agreement signed by Dirgantara and Lockheed Martin's Vice President of Global Business Development Jeff White in Washington D.C. last year, Lockheed Martin commits to granting Dirgantara permission to assemble main systems, conduct operations (inspection, ground and production flight testing), modifications, and system upgrades for the Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk helicopters. Additionally, Dirgantara will perform MRO domestically.

"We believe that the strategic cooperation between Dirgantara and Sikorsky will generate added value through Dirgantara's capabilities in integration, customization, modifications, and system enhancements," Gita said in Dirgantara's official statement following the signing of the cooperation with Lockheed Martin last year.

Meanwhile, Sikorsky Aircraft President Paul Lemmo expressed that the cooperation demonstrates both parties' commitment to supporting Indonesia's government procurement plan for 24 units of the S-70M Black Hawk helicopter.

The Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk series helicopters are versatile aircraft capable of operating in various conditions, from nighttime flights to extreme weather conditions. The helicopters can be used for troop mobilization, SAR operations, medical evacuations, and firefighting missions.

The helicopter can carry loads up to 4,695 kilograms and fly at a maximum speed of 268 kilometers per hour.

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