Indonesia signs contract for PC-24 light transport aircraft

Jakarta has signed a contract to acquire 12 Pilatus PC-24 aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force's pilot training, air transport, and liaison requirements. (Pilatus)

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Jakarta has signed a contract to acquire Pilatus PC-24 light transport aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force. The contract, signed between Pilatus and PT E-System Solutions Indonesia, an MoD-authorised contractor, covers 12 PC-24 aircraft, Pilatus said on 30 March.

The acquisition will support the Indonesian Air Force's transport pilot training, air transport, and liaison operations, Pilatus said. According to the company, the contract includes an option for additional aircraft, ground support equipment, tools, spare parts, training, and technical support from Pilatus headquarters in Stans, Switzerland.

Details about the contract's value were unavailable. The MoD had not commented on the acquisition at the time of publication.

Powered by two Williams International 15.3 kN FJ44-4A turbofans, the PC-24 has a maximum takeoff weight (MToW) of 8,300 kg (18,298 lb), including a maximum payload-carrying capacity of 1,134 kg (2,500 lb). The aircraft has a standard service ceiling of 9,145 m (30,000 ft), a cruising speed of 440 kt, and a range of 1,182 n miles with maximum payload.

The PC-24 is certified for single pilot operations and can be employed from short, unpaved runways, according to Pilatus. These features make the aircraft capable of handling missions such instrument flight rules (IFR) pilot training, transport, and liaison duties, the company added.

According to Pilatus, the aircraft requires a take-off distance of 3,090 ft (at sea level and at MToW, on a dry, paved runway), and a landing distance of 2,410 ft under the same conditions.