Indonesian Aerospace

Indonesian Aerospace
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Aerospace, Defense, Telecommunications, Automotive, Maritime, Information Technology, Oil and Gas, Control and Automation Systems, Simulation, Industrial Turbines, Engineering Consultancy
Predecessor	PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN), PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio
Founded	1976
Headquarters	Bandung, Indonesia
Area served	Indonesia and international markets
Products	Regional commuter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, armaments, aerospace engineering services
Owner	Government of Indonesia (via state-owned electronics manufacturer)
Number of employees	3,720 (as of 2004) (2004)
Parent	State-owned electronics manufacturer (name not specified)

Indonesian Aerospace (abbreviated as IAe; ), is a prominent aerospace firm based in Indonesia, focusing on the design, development, and production of regional commuter aircraft for both civilian and military sectors. It functions as a subsidiary of a government-owned electronics manufacturer. Previously identified as (IPTN), the organization originated from a research and industrial division within the Indonesian Air Force, initially called .

Established in 1976 as a state-owned company, IAe has broadened its scope beyond aircraft manufacturing to encompass industries such as telecommunications, automotive, maritime, information technology, oil and gas, control and automation systems, defense technologies, simulation solutions, industrial turbines, and engineering consultancy.

Early Development

Indonesia’s venture into national aviation commenced in 1946 with the creation of the Planning and Construction Bureau () under the Indonesian Air Force at Yogyakarta. Founding figures Wiweko Soepono, Nurtanio Pringgoadisurjo, and J. Sumarsono initiated basic glider production near Madiun, crafting models including the Zogling and NWG-1.

In 1948, Wiweko Soepono engineered a powered aircraft named WEL-X, equipped with a Harley Davidson engine and registered as RI-X. Progress was halted due to the independence war but resumed in 1953 when the Experimental Section (), led by Nurtanio Pringgoadisurjo with a team of 15 members, constructed and tested three single-seat all-metal aircraft prototypes at Andir Airport in Bandung.

On 24 April 1957, this unit was reorganized into the Inspection, Trial, and Production Sub-Depot () following an order from the Indonesian Air Force.

In 1958, IAe developed the light training aircraft prototype called Belalang 89 (Grasshopper 89), which subsequently entered limited production as , with five units deployed for military pilot training. That same year also saw the creation of the sport aircraft Kunang 25.

Industry Formation

By directive #488 issued on 1 August 1960 by the Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff, the Aviation Industry Preparation Agency was established to foster Indonesia’s aviation sector as part of a broader national industrial policy. By 16 December 1961, this agency—known as LAPIP ()—was actively engaged in negotiating technology transfer agreements and contracts.

LAPIP secured a licensing partnership with the Polish People's Republic through CEKOP to produce the PZL-104 Wilga, locally referred to as . A total of forty-four units were manufactured for agricultural use, transportation purposes, and aero club activities.

In 1965, two entities—the Aircraft Industry Project Implementation Command (; ) and Independent Aircraft Industry National Company ()—were founded to further develop Indonesia’s aviation capabilities.

Concurrently, academic programs in aviation were introduced at major universities including an engineering faculty course at Bandung Institute of Technology, established by Oetarjo Diran and Liem Keng Kie.

In September 1974, Pertamina's Advanced Technology Division obtained licenses to produce the Bölkow Bo 105 from MBB and the CASA C.212 Aviocar from CASA.

Nurtanio Aircraft Industry Establishment

On 26 April 1976, under Government Regulation No. 15, PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio was officially formed in Jakarta with BJ. Habibie appointed as President and CEO. The facility was formally inaugurated on 23 August 1976 by President Suharto. This organization resulted from merging Nurtanio Aviation Industry Institution () with Pertamina’s Advanced Technology Division.

The company was named in honor of aviation pioneer Nurtanio Pringgoadisuryo, who designed Indonesia’s first indigenous all-metal aircraft—the Sikumbang—which had its maiden flight on 1 August 1954. Following his death in 1966, the agency adopted his name.

Initially, IPTN produced licensed versions of the NBO 105 (MBB Bo 105) helicopter and later manufactured the NC 212 (CASA C-212 Aviocar) under CASA’s license.

Nusantara Aircraft Industry

On 11 October 1985, PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio officially changed its name to PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN), a title inspired by Indonesia’s vast archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands.

The decision to drop "Nurtanio" stemmed from unsubstantiated claims involving the misuse of company letterhead by members of the Nurtanio family in relation to IPTN’s stock management.

Dirgantara Indonesia / Indonesian Aerospace

In the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Indonesian Aerospace underwent significant organizational transformation. By 2004, the workforce was reduced from 9,670 to 3,720 employees. The original 18 divisions were streamlined into five primary sectors:

Aircraft
Aircraft Services
Aerostructure
Defense
Engineering Services

This restructuring emphasized aligning workforce size with operational demands, refining business objectives, and concentrating on targeted market segments with a clearly defined strategic mission.

The company, rebranded from IPTN as PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) or Indonesian Aerospace (IAe), was formally launched by President Abdurrahman Wahid in Bandung on 24 August 2000.

On 4 July 2011, the Indonesian government injected Rp.2 trillion ($234 million) into the financially burdened firm to alleviate debt and facilitate a joint venture with EADS. Before this capital infusion, outstanding government debt amounted to Rp.1.1 trillion ($129 million).

Services

Engineering packages: design, development, testing
Manufacturing subcontracting
Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
Engine Maintenance and Overhaul (MRO)

Facilities

Indonesian Aerospace operates on an 86.98 ha campus primarily located in Bandung, equipped with 232 advanced operational units alongside several assembly lines, laboratories, and maintenance facilities.

Indonesian Aerospace and its predecessors

(PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) – (IAe) Indonesian Aerospace)

AURI

( – Indonesian Air Force Research, Development, and Production Depot)

NU-200 Sikumbang
NU-225 Sikumbang (X-09)
NU-260 Sikumbang (X-02)
Belalang 85 (X-03) – modified Piper J-3 Cub
Belalang 90 – modified Piper J-3 Cub
Kunang 25 (X-04)
Super Kunang 35 (X-05 and X-07)
Kindjeng 150 (X-06)
B-8m Kolentang – derived from Bensen B-8

LIPNUR

(Lembaga Industri Penerbangan Nurtanio – Nurtanio Aviation Industry Institution)

LIPNUR Gelatik (Licensed production of PZL-104 Wilga)
LIPNUR LT-200 Angkatang (Licensed production of Pazmany PL-2)
LIPNUR Belalang
LIPNUR Kindjeng
LIPNUR Kolentang
LIPNUR Kumbang
LIPNUR Kunang
LIPNUR Kunang-kunang
LIPNUR Manyang
LIPNUR Sikumbang
LIPNUR Super Kunang I
LIPNUR Super Kunang II

IAe Aircraft production

CASA/IPTN CN235 available in civil, military, and maritime variants (Co-developed with CASA under Aircraft Technology (Airtech)).
Indonesian Aerospace CN295 (A derivative variant of the C-295 produced by Indonesian Aerospace).
Indonesian Aerospace N219, a commercial turboprop seating 19 passengers; first flight occurred in August 2017 with certification granted by the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation in December 2020. IAe (PT DI) has secured 257 orders domestically and internationally.
Indonesian Aerospace N245, a proposed commercial turboprop aircraft designed for 50 seats; wind tunnel tests were finalized and design completed by mid-2018.
Indonesian Aerospace’s IPTN N250, a commercial turboprop aircraft configured for 50 passengers.
Elang Hitam, an unmanned aerial vehicle under development intended for medium-altitude long-endurance missions.

Joint Development & production aircraft

KAI KF-X, a collaborative multirole fighter program between South Korea and Indonesia with development expenses shared at an 80% to 20% ratio respectively. KAI and IAe (PTDI) act as system integrators. The KF-X is positioned technologically above the F-16 E/F but below the F-35 and is currently in prototype phase.

License-built aircraft

NAS 330J, a licensed version of the Aérospatiale Puma helicopter first produced in 1981.
NAS 332, licensed production of the Eurocopter Super Puma helicopter initiated in 1983.
Six units of the Eurocopter EC725 supplied to the Indonesian Air Force.
NB 412, licensed production of the Bell 412 helicopter since 1984.
NBO 105, licensed-built helicopter production discontinued in July 2011 after manufacturing 123 units since its start in 1976.
NBK 117, licensed production ongoing since 1981.
Production lines for the NBO 105 have been succeeded by models such as the Eurocopter Fennec and the Eurocopter Ecureuil.
Licensed production of the aircraft model NC212.

IAe Armaments

The 2.75-inch FFAR rocket, manufactured under license in Belgium.
The SUT torpedo system.
The NDL-40 multiple launcher designed for ground-to-ground rockets.
The R-Han 122 rocket projectile.
The RN01-SS munition.

Development projects

Indonesian Aerospace is advancing the N245, a regional aircraft accommodating 50 passengers, intended for short-haul flights up to 400 kilometres. This model focuses on servicing isolated regions or markets with limited demand. Drawing heavy inspiration from the CN235, it features alterations to the tail and fuselage. With development expenses totaling $150 million, profitability is anticipated after producing between 50 and 70 units. The N245 aims to rival aircraft such as the ATR 42 and the Dash 8 Q300.

External links