PAKISTAN IS INTERESTED in acquiring up to four IPTN-produced CN-235MPA maritime-patrol aircraft, and also in up-grading its Eurocopter SA.330J Puma transport helicopters.
Indonesian aerospace company IPTN, which builds the NAS.330 and the improved NAS.332 Super Puma under licence, is understood to be discussing re-engineing the Pakistani helicopters with the General Electric T700 turbo-shaft.
A similar upgrade has been proposed to United Arab Emirates for its Romanian-built IAR.330s, for improved and hot-and-heavy work.
Pakistan has signed a barter-trade memorandum of understanding with Indonesia, to cover the supply of up 15 IPTN N-250 turboprop passenger-aircraft.
The counter-trade agreement is reportedly worth a potential $400 million. In exchange for the N-250s, Pakistan would supply Indonesia with an undisclosed number of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex-built Mushshak trainers and submarine parts.
In the absence of export credit from Indonesia's finance ministry, IPTN is increasingly turning to barter trade to compete and sell its aircraft on the international market.
The company has signed a deal under which it will supply Malaysia with six CN-235-220 transports, in return for 20 SME-built MD3 trainer aircraft and Proton cars. It has also recently offered to provide South Korea with 14 CN-235s, in part-exchange for Daewoo armoured personnel-carriers.
Source: Flight International
