IAe delivers first main fuselage assembly for EC725/EC225 helicopters

Eurocopter has taken delivery of first complete main fuselage assembly from PT Dirgantara Indonesia/Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) for the EC725 Super Puma and EC225 helicopters.

The integrated upper and lower fuselage sections of the assembly have been built at by IAe at its Bandung, Indonesia facility in West Java, Indonesia.

IAe, under a long-term industrial agreement signed in 2008, will deliver upper and lower fuselages, along with tail booms for Eurocopter’s EC725/EC225 helicopter.

Eurocopter Indonesia subsidiary CEO Ludovic Boistot said IAe is an important part of the EC225/725 helicopter family’s industrial network for Eurocopter.

"The first integrated fuselage assembly’s handover demonstrates the vitality of our cooperation with IAe, which will continue to evolve in meeting Indonesia’s helicopter needs and the evolution of its aerospace sector," Boistot added.

The Eurocopter-built EC725 Cougar is a long-range tactical transport helicopter designed to support multi-role military missions.

The EC225 has been designed to be used in civil and public service applications ranging from off-shore airlift for the oil and gas industry to fire-fighting and search and rescue missions.

IAe is planning to deliver one EC725/EC225 tail boom every three weeks as well as one integrated fuselage every 10 weeks in 2014.

Image: Officials during main fuselage assembly delivery ceremony. Photo: (© Indonesian Aerospace)