Airbus Helicopters Hands Over First Three AS565 MBe Panther Helicopter to Indonesia

Airbus Helicopters has delivered first three of 11 AS565 MBe Panther helicopters to Indonesia at the company’s headquarters in France.

The delivery took place ahead of contract schedule, follows the contract signed in late 2014 with PT Dirgantara Indonesia for 11 AS565 MBe helicopters.

The delivery of the remaining helicopters till 2018, the company said in a statement today.

“The AS565 MBe has been developed using processes and this enhanced variant of the Panther will benefit from an increased maximum take-off weight at 4,500kg.” said Janick Blanc, Head of the Panther programme at Airbus Helicopters.

“This will provide increased mission capabilities, specifically for the anti-submarine warfare missions these rotorcrafts are expected to perform”, he added.

Under the agreement, Airbus Helicopters will supply the AS565 MBe helicopters to its Indonesia industrial partner PT Dirgantara Indonesia, who will reassemble and outfit this rotorcraft in-country, acting as the design authority.  This will notably cover the installation of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite which includes dipping sonar and torpedo launch systems, allowing the Indonesian Navy to carry out its most demanding missions.

The AS565 MBe is equipped with two Safran Arriel 2N engines, which enhance the helicopter’s performance in high and hot conditions, while enabling it to achieve a top speed of 165 kt and a range of 780 kilometres. It also boasts a new main gearbox, the latest-generation tail rotor and a 4-axis autopilot that reduces crew workload and makes the most demanding missions easier to perform.