-SINGAPORE
The Nepalese government has begun negotiations with Indonesian state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara (PTDI) for procurement of second CN-235-220M multipurpose platform, an official from the company confirmed at the 2018 iteration of the Singapore Airshow.
The aircraft will join the Nepalese Army (NA) Air Wing, and like the first airframe ordered in 2017, will probably be deployed primarily for troop and cargo transport, humanitarian supply missions, and medical evacuations, said Ade Yuyu Wahyuna, PTDI’s vice-president of sales.
PTDI secured a contract to supply the first CN-235-220M with Nepal in June 2017. The aircraft type, which is being produced under a long-standing licensing arrangement with Airbus, is currently under construction at the company’s facility in Bandung.
The CN235-220 Military Transport ordered by the Nepalese Army is designed for paratroop transport, medical evacuation, passenger transport, VVIP transport and cargo transport that can be adjusted. The aircraft has a front door used as the entrance or exit for VIPs or VVIPs, while the ramp door is wide enough for a paratroop operation and cargo loading.
“This new multi-purpose aircraft has a Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capability at 800 meters rugged airstrips, ramp door for easy loading/unloading, and low-cost maintenance characteristic,” PTDI claims on its website. PTDI legal manager and spokesperson said that a small vehicle can even fit in the aircraft.
