Indonesian MoD to acquire amphibious aircraft from Viking Air

Canada-based utility aircraft manufacturer Viking Air announced on 18 June that it has been awarded a contract to supply six new Viking Canadair CL-515 and one upgraded Canadair CL-415EAF amphibious aircraft to Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Four of the CL-515 twin-turboprop aircraft will be delivered in “first responder” multi-mission configuration, while the remaining two will be handed over “in optimised aerial firefighter configuration”, said the company in a statement.

It also pointed out that, due to its flexible architecture, the CL-515 is capable of integrating mission equipment for a variety of roles, including aerial firefighting, maritime patrol, surveillance, medevac, environmental monitoring, insect control, oil spill detection and dispersal.

The deal, the value of which was not disclosed, also includes a Canadair CL-415EAF aircraft converted from a Canadair CL-215 to Enhanced Aerial Firefighter (EAF) standard by Longview Aviation Services.

Viking Air, which is a subsidiary of Longview Aviation Capital, pointed out that while the deal is a “firm commitment”, it is conditional on Longview Aviation Capital’s board of directors approving the production launch programme.

“We are very well advanced in all aspects of programme planning, including our supply chain, and we are nearing a final decision on manufacturing and final assembly sites. We expect to complete the remaining programme milestones in the near future, and deliver the first new CL-515 on schedule in 2024,” said David Curtis, chairman and chief executive officer of Longview Aviation Capital.

Longview acquired the type certificates for the Canadair amphibious aircraft programme from Bombardier in 2016.