REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MALANG - The Indonesian Air Force has acquired four Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft from Brazil as part of a deal with the Brazilian Air Force, the manufacturer of the aircraft. The official announcement of the aircraft procurement was marked by the symbolic handover of EMB 314 Super Tucano from Embraer Defense and Security Chief Executive Officer, Luiz Carlos Aguiar to Defense Facilities Department Chief at Indonesian Defense Ministry, Major General Ediwan Prabowo here on Monday.
The four Super Tucano aircrafts were handed over to the Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters, which was represented by TNI Logistic Assistant (Aslog) Major General Hari Krisnowo. The aircraft were then handed over to the Indonesian Air Force Headquarters, represented by TNI Logistic Assistant of Indonesian Air Force Staff (Kasau), Rear Marshal JFP Sitompul.
Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro witnessed the official handover, accompanied by TNI Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono, Indonesian Air Force Staff Marshal Imam Sufaat and Brazil`s Ambassador to Indonesia, Paulo Alberto da Silvera Soares.
The Indonesian Defence Ministry had signed a deal worth 141.99 million USD to buy eight Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano aircraft from Embraer Defense and Security of Brazil in 2010. The remaining aircraft would arrive in Indonesia by January 2013.
The turboprop aircraft would be deployed with the Squadron 21st at Abdulrahman Saleh Airbase in Malang to replace the North American Aviation Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, which had been decommissioned by the Indonesian Air Force in 2009.
The four EMB 314 Super Tucano highly manoeuvrable aircraft have been registered with TT-3101, TT-3102, TT-3103 and TT-3104 tail numbers. The EMB 314 Super Tucano is designed to operate in high temperature and extremely humid conditions in extremely rugged terrain and possesses a low heat signature, incorporating 4th generation avionics and weapons system to deliver precision guided munitions.
The four Super Tucano aircraft arrived in Malang on Sunday (Sept 16) after flying for two weeks with stops in Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, India and Thailand. The government of Indonesia has planned to acquire a total of 16 EMB 314 Super Tucano aircraft.
