SHAH ALAM: Indonesian state-owned PT Dirgantara today signed the contract to supply six NC212I twin engine transporters with the Philippines Department of National Defence (DND). Both parties also signed the maintenance contract for the two NC-212I already in service with the Philippines Air Force (PAF).
The contract signing for the aircraft was conducted at the department headquarters in Quezon City, PTDI announced on its social media network.
According to PTDI, once the delivered the six NC212I will also be operated by PAF. As for the maintenance contract the first aircraft to undergo maintenance will be flown to Bandung next month.
PAF took delivery of the NC212Is in June 2018, some four years after the contract was signed. The aircraft was contracted in 2014 under the PAF Light Lift Fixed-Wing Acquisition Project under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernisation Programme. The delivery of the aircraft was delayed as PTDI had difficulties in certifying the aircraft which was fitted with different avionics and other modifications than the previous versions. Following the certification, PTDI has had no more issues with the deliveries of contracted aircraft.
PAF operates the NC212I in many roles from maritime patrol to passenger and troop transport, search and rescue and medical evacuation. The NC212I has a carrying capacity of 28 passengers, eight more than the previous version.
The service has been seeking additional NC212I since the delivery of the first two which reportedly cost US$19 million. In February, the DND received some US$11 million or 15 per cent of the total cost for the six-aircraft contract, which was signed today.
Apart from the Philippines other export users of the NC212i in Asean include Thailand and Vietnam.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (36)
Reminds me of the STOL Sherpas used in Alaska or the Himalayas.
The new contract for the 6 NC-212i is around USD12.5 million per aircraft. For a 28 seater with a rear ramp door, that is reasonable.
Nepal for example recently bought the PZL M28 Skytruck for about USD15 million per aircraft. M28 is a bit smaller, with only 19 person capacity, but still with a rear (quite narrow) ramp.
But for the price, if you don't mind the perceived old shape, the best value would be the Basler BT-67, for around USD12 million, an airplane that could fly into small airstrips carrying 38 passengers or around 6 tons cargo.
https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/mro/article/21267235/basler-turbo-conversions-and-creating-the-bt67
There is one example of the BT-67 regularly flying in Malaysia doing oil and gas surveys.
https://www.planespotters.net/photo/829180/c-ftgi-bell-geospace-aviation-basler-bt-67
more on the BT-67
https://www.key.aero/article/upgrading-80-year-old-douglas-dc-3s-turboprop-engines
Philppines again is catching up
I see the potential of NC-2121 replacing MasWing's Twin Otters in Ba Kelalan and the interiors of both Sabah and Sarawak. Twin Otters can seat 19 plus cargo but anyone who has been in one will tell you it's claustrophobic. NC-2121 can seat 28.
Who knows, TUDM can find use for such an aircraft too.
@ taib
A brand new twin otter costs around usd7 million. A fully rebuilt as new version (reset to 0 hours) about usd4 million.
NC212i has quite a few quirks that is not there with the very rugged twin otter (and why twin otters are the one preferred everywhere)
The NC-212i, like the GAF Nomad, is quite sensitive to where you put your stuff inside it, so not to affect the CG. Also the TPE-331 turboprop engine is not quite favoured compared to the PT6 engine.
Also the support/spareparts. Not many out there compared to the twin otter.
Jun - "Philppines again is catching "
Yes. Soon we can expect PN surface action groups off the Kamchatka Peninsular and Yokosuka naval base.
Taib - "Who knows, TUDM can find use for such an aircraft too."
It used to have use for an aircraft which could land on short strips and it has such an aircraft in the form of the Caribou. With the end of the Emergency there was no longer a need for such a capability. The CN-235 replaced the Caribou but it didn't have the STOL capabilities. If anything; on paper the army would have a need but then it has helicopters which can fulfil most of the requirement.
The PAF needs the capability because there are short landing strips all over the country [COIN ops are still ongoing] and on the various reefs they claim and occupy.
Nope.
RMAF did not need A400M more than NC-212...they using vellfire to send lunch box.
In my opinion RMAF could have a few of something like the PC-24 in its fleet.
High speed, range for flights between east and west malaysia, and the ability to land and takeoff from short gravel and grass strips.
https://www.flyingmag.com/pilatus-pc24-rough-field-certification/
Many times RMAF undertakes mercy and MEDEVAC flights of just 1 person using the A400M. The PC-24 can do that from many airstrips in sabah and sarawak; while also capable of doing other missions such as MECU, liaison, and general transport/light cargo duties.
And what does the PC-24 cost? Around the same as the NC-212i.
https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/pilatus-pc-24-can-do-it-all-2873366/
... - ''In my opinion RMAF could have a few of something like the PC-24 in its fleet.''
Yes you pointed this out several years ago. The problem is that a trade off has to be made and the trade off is that helicopters will perform service centric roles; even if certain roles can be better performed by a light aircraft. Also; unlike during the Emergency; very few army bases or forward locating areas have grass strips. They do have helicopter spots however.
... - ''And what does the PC-24 cost?''
The right question is now what it costs [your penchant for prices notwithstanding] but does the resource strained Army Aviation Corps see the need to allocate resources to operate/sustain a fixe wing capability? Note that even a few planes will require a ground crew and administrative staff in the dozens. Not only that but neither Kluang or the Army Aviation Corps facility at Kuantan has a runway or a runway connected to it.
In short; despite all the on paper advantages the army does not; has never and probably will never in the foreseeable future see the need for a light plane.