Airbus Helicopters delivered the first three of 11 AS565 MBe Panther helicopters to Indonesia at a ceremony held at the company’s headquarters in Marignane, France, the company said Tuesday.
The ceremony included representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence and Navy.
The AS565 MBe operates as a light/medium anti-submarine warfare platform and has two Safran Arriel 2N engines, a top speed of 165 knots, and a range of nearly 485 miles.
The delivery is part of a late 2014 contract signature with PT Dirgantara Indonesia for 11 AS565 MBe helicopters. The remaining eight units are set to be delivered through 2018. Under the contract agreement, Airbus is to supply AS565 MBe helicopters to its Indonesia industrial partner PT Dirgantara Indonesia, which will then reassemble and outfit the helicopters in Indonesia. PT Dirgantara Indonesia will act as the design authority.
Airbus highlighted this covers the installation of an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite, including a dipping sonar and torpedo launch systems.