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BALI, Indonesia—PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) sees itself focusing on special-mission conversions for its CN-235 turboprop transport aircraft, as it looks to keep it relevant in the international market.
The Indonesian aerospace prime has entered a strategic partnership with Greek company Scytalys to provide CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) solutions for the Philippines, as well as other potential customers.
Athens-based Scytalys is behind the MIMS Airborne mission system, data links and interoperability system used on the Hellenic Navy’s Lockheed P-3 Orions.
PTDI's Mohamad Arif Faisal, director of commerce, technology and development, told Aviation Week here at the Bali Air Show that collaboration with Scytalys has begun, and technical proposals and presentations have been made to the Philippine Navy.
The Philippines confirmed in August that it acquired two Leonardo ATR 72s with an Elbit Systems payload for its long-range patrol aircraft program, but PTDI is positioning itself for the country's future ASW program.
Faisal said PTDI is also in collaboration with Turkey’s Havelsan for a possible airborne early warning (AEW) variant of the CN-235. Havelsan was involved in Turkey’s E-7 Peace Eagle AEW program, designing and integrating the Airborne Segment Mission Computing System (MCS). It also has the capability of modifying, enhancing and modernizing the MCS interface software, weapons control and electronic support measures, among others.
The CN-235 was borne out of collaboration between PTDI and Airbus Defense—which was CASA of Spain at the time of the linkup. PTDI is currently not involved in the C295 project, essentially an enlarged and improved CN-235, which Airbus Defense is actively pushing to international clients.
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