Sikorsky and PTDI sign agreement for 24 Indonesian S-70M Black Hawks.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, announced on August 23 the signing of an agreement with Indonesian aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) to enter into a strategic partnership to pursue a sales agreement of up to 24 Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk helicopters for the Republic of Indonesia.

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The S-70M Black Hawk is the FAA-type certified (Restricted Category Special Airworthiness Certificate) version based on the S-70i Black Hawk manufactured by Sikorsky subsidiary, PZL Mielec in Poland (Picture source: Sikorsky)

"This agreement demonstrates our mutual interest with PTDI to provide S-70M Black Hawk helicopters to serve Indonesia’s security needs," said Jeff White, vice president of Global Business Development at Sikorsky. “The Black Hawk is designed and built to the toughest military standards, and it can quickly and reliably deliver personnel and supplies to geographically dispersed populations across a large archipelagic area such as Indonesia.”

The agreement was finalized during Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto’s visit to the U.S. to meet with defense and industry officials in support of Indonesia’s military modernization and interoperability efforts.

“We are confident that this strategic cooperation between PTDI and Lockheed Martin will result in added values gained for PTDI's capability in integration, customization, modification and system upgrade for the helicopter's completion,” said Gita Amperiawan, President Director at PTDI. “In addition, with the opportunity to become an official Sikorsky supplier, PTDI will also be able to expand its aerostructure business.”

The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium transport/utility helicopter family. It was developed for the U.S. Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Black Hawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service. New and improved versions of the UH-60 have been developed since. Civilian versions, and some military versions, are produced under various S-70 model designations. The S-70M Black Hawk is the FAA-type certified (Restricted Category Special Airworthiness Certificate) version based on the S-70i Black Hawk manufactured by Sikorsky subsidiary, PZL Mielec in Poland. This chopper has earned its standing as the trusted utility aircraft for operators worldwide, featuring unmatched multi-mission versatility and military-grade airworthiness capable of operating in extreme weather conditions, day or night.

About PT Dirgantara Indonesia

PT Dirgantara Indonesia, also known as PTDI is one of the indigenous aerospace companies in Asia with core competencies in aircraft design, development and test, aircraft structure manufacturing, aircraft production, and aircraft services for both civilian and military. Since established in August 1976, under the auspices of the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises, we have successfully developed and grown our capability as the aerospace industry by delivering more than 460 units of aircraft to many customers all around the globe.

Sikorsky Vice President of Global Business Development Jeff White (seated left) and PTDI Chief Executive Officer Gita Amperiawan present a signed agreement for S-70M Black Hawk helicopters at Lockheed Martin offices in Washington, D.C., Aug. 22, 2023 (Picture source: Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin)