State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) is set to launch two maritime patrol aircraft for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) by the end of the year.DI president director Budi Santoso said there are currently three maritime patrol aircraft produced by DI and operated by TNI AL.

“We will add two more maritime patrol units by the end of the year,” said Budi.Budi confirmed that in February or March of next year, DI will also supply two maritime patrol aircraft for the Air Force (TNI AU). He said that each unit takes approximately 18 to 24 months to produce, depending on the type.The maritime patrol aircraft is a modification of CN 235, the aircraft most frequently manufactured by the DI. The main modification to the maritime version is the inclusion of a large gun using 20 millimeter caliber bullets.

Price-wise, the maritime patrol aircraft is more expensive than the CN 235, which is sold for US$22 to 23 million.“But the selling price for the three aircraft purchased by TNI AL is confidential,” said DI head of public relations Irland Budiman.The aircraft will be used by the government to guard and monitor Indonesia’s maritime resources, as illegal fishing operations continue to deplete the nation’s fisheries.