Leonardo ready to expand helicopter sales to Indonesia

Italian aerospace, defense and security company Leonardo-Finmeccanica sees an opportunity to expand its presence in Indonesia with sales of its helicopter products, company officials said here on Thursday.

Head of Region for Leonardo Helicopters Lorenzo Pariani said here at the Indo Defense Expo 2016, Thursday, that Indonesia has a dynamic market to fill the needs of civilian and military users of Leonardos products.

“Indonesia is a big archipelago. You have specific needs that we could develop together,” Lorenzo said.

At the end of 2015, Leonardo had delivered an AW139 helicopter to the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) for humanitarian and rescue missions.

Basarnas was Leonardos first Indonesian costumer in the form of a government agency.

“This is like an ice breaker because we want to sell more of our helicopters,” Lorenzo said.

The Indonesian Air Force has also chosen Leonardos AW101 helicopter, which serves as a multi-purpose helicopter, with sufficient haulage and is projected to conduct missions as a heavy-lift helicopter to increase the mobility of troops and logistics.

Several private operators in Indonesia have also been using Leonardos helicopter such as Susi Air with AW109 and AW119, and Travira Air, which opted for a larger AW139.

“Were also ready to have cooperation in transfer of technology with Indonesia,” Lorenzo said.

Leonardo has sold more than 1,000 units of helicopters globally, while this year, the company has received 15 confirmed orders for helicopters from the Indonesian costumers, he said.

Meanwhile, Leonardos Vice President of Market and Business Development, as well as Head of Region Southeast Asia, Bruno Bertella said that Leonardo and the Indonesian Military have been partners for around 20 years.

Leonardo has provided the Indonesian armed forces with a sophisticated defense system, such as an electronic defense systems, torpedos, warship cannons in various calibres.

“We hope to be able to provide a heavy weight torpedo for the Indonesian submarine which was recently built in South Korea,” Bruno said.

The Indo Defense Expo and Forum 2016 is currently being held in Jakarta from Nov 2 to 5, in which a total of 844 companies, including 573 foreign companies and 271 domestic ones, are participating.

Indonesias Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said the exhibition is expected to benefit not only the defense field but also the countrys economy and research and technology development.