Further Two Conversions to be Delivered May/June

PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has completed conversion of the first of three Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) CN-235-220Ms to a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) configuration. Delivery is slated for later in April.

A company spokesperson told MON on 6 April that the aircraft, equipped with forward looking infra-red (FLIR) as well as new search radar and datalink systems, has been painted and is being readied for delivery. Conversion of the two other platforms is almost complete, with one already in flight testing. Their delivery is scheduled for May/June.

Despite having relied on four King Air B200T for the MPA role for the past three decades, Malaysia has yet to select a new dedicated MPA type. It decided, instead, to have three CN-235-220Ms converted in Indonesia. The conversion is funded by the United States under Washington’s Maritime Security Initiative, and features the AIMS-ISR mission management system developed by CarteNav. The three aircraft being converted are part of the seven CN-235s in RMAF service.

Malaysia is also looking to enhance its maritime domain awareness, as well as its ISTAR capabilities, by using UAVs.

Gabriel Dominguez reporting for MON