Indonesian Plane Maker PT DI and UAC Lands $150 Million Deal for Maintenance of Lockheed C-130 Aircraft

JAKARTADAILY.ID - Indonesian state-owned plane maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) signed an exclusive General Operation Agreement (GOA) worth $150 million with California-based company Unity Accipiter Corporation (UAC), in which they will offer maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft owned by the Indonesian government.

In a statement sent to JakartaDaily.id on Monday, August 2, 2022, PT DI said the agreement will allow PT DI to extend MRO services for the legendary American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft owned by the Indonesian government.

The GOA between PT DI and UAC, an American-owned private military and security consulting company headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, was signed at Indonesia's defense ministry headquarters in Jakarta.

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"This (deal) will strengthen our position as one of the providers of aircraft maintenance in Indonesia," Gita Amperiawan, the President Director of PT DI said in the statement.

PT DI will offer, among other, facility, infrastructure, and engineering for plane maintenance. Meanwhile, the Unity Resources Group will offer technical assistance, training, and special devices to enable PT DI to extend MRO services for the C-130 aircraft owned by the Indonesian government. 

UAC will also provide the necessary spare parts to PT DI for the legendary aircraft.

Gaurav Srivastava, the Chairman of the Unity Resources Group, said his company "acknowledges" PT DI's long history in the area of manufacturing and maintenance for aircraft.

The President Director of PT Dirgantara Indonesia Gita Amperiawan (right) and the Chairman of Unity Resources Group Gaurav Srivastava (left) appeared in a discussion after both companies signed an exclusive operational agreement for maintenance of C-130 aircraft on July 23, 2022 (Photo courtesy of PT DI)

To date, PT DI has sold 466 aircraft and helicopters in Indonesia as well as overseas.

Of this figure, 120 units are the Indonesian-made NC212 series aircraft.

PT DI just exported one NC212i to the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA) of Thailand. This aircraft was delivered from PT DI's Hangar Delivery Center in Bandung, West Java to Nakhon Sawan Air Base, Muang, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand on August 3, 2022.

NC212i is the latest multi-function aircraft with 28 passenger seats. The aircraft has a ramp door, winglet, and the widest cabin in its class. It is also claimed to offer a more modern navigation and communication system and efficient operating costs.

The Indonesian-made NC212i will be used to transport general passengers, VIP passengers, cargo, rainmaking, troop/paratroop transport, and medical evacuation for the need of Thailand's government.