Indonesia has agreed to buy nine PZL-Swidnik Mi-2 police helicopters as part of a barter deal with Poland.
The deal is a blow to Enstrom and Eurocopter, which have been trying to sell the police additional new 480Bs and used BO105s, respectively.
Indonesia's police force now operates 18 480Bs, which were acquired in 2003, and 18 BO105s.
Industry sources say the Indonesian police prefer to acquire Western helicopters to meet a requirement for 22 additional light single-engined reconnaissance aircraft and the Mi-2 deal was signed purely for political reasons following last year's pledge by the Polish and Indonesian governments to increase trade between the two countries.
The Mi-2s will be delivered to the police later this year. The force also wants to acquire at least two medium twin-engined transport helicopters.
Source: Flight International
