Indonesian aircraft manufacturer IPTN wants to develop a gas-turbine capability as part of its selection of a powerplant for the proposed new N2130 regional-aircraft.
IPTN's Universal Maintenance Centre (UMC) is discussing becoming involved in component manufacture and possibly engine assembly.
An expanded capability for UMC is part of a wider plan to restructure the state-owned company and eventually spin-off its engine overhaul division into an independent business. UMC, which employs 600 people, has experience in the maintenance of Rolls-Royce Dart and General Electric CT7 turboprops, but does not have a manufacturing capability.
Industrial offsets targeted at UMC will almost certainly feature in business proposals due to be submitted shortly to IPTN as part of its N2130 engine competition. Technical submissions have already been made and a final selection is due in February1998.
IPTN says that it needs a powerplant in the 89-102kN (20,000lb-23,000lb)-thrust class to power the planned baseline 100-seat and stretch 120-seat versions of the N2130. BMW Rolls-Royce is proposing a clipped-fan version of the 1.47m-diameter BR715 selected for the Boeing MD-95, while CFM International is offering the CFM56-9 and Pratt & Whitney the planned PW6000.
The company has not ruled out the possibility of offering potential customers a dual source of engines. Airlines are pressing for a choice of powerplants, but the decision to go for a single or dual source will have a major bearing on the level of commercial and industrial concessions which foreign manufacturers will be prepared to offer.
Meanwhile, there is growing speculation that the International Monetary Fund will press Jakarta to curtail funding for IPTN in return for a financial bail-out of the ailing Indonesian economy. The company claims, however, that the $2 billion N2130 development programme is privately funded and unlikely to be affected.
The DSTP company, which is tasked with raising money for the project through a placement of shares with state and private investors, is chaired by Indonesian President Suharto and directed by cabinet secretary Saadi Lah Mursjid.
"This is a non-government programme and, if it is postponed, it will be the private company that does it, but they have told us to continue as planned," says Habibie.
Source: Flight International
