Tangerang, January 27th, 2022 – PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia Tbk (“GMF”) welcomed the arrival of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto in Hangar 4 GMF (26/1). Minister Prabowo was welcomed directly by GMF CEO Andi Fahrurrozi, Garuda Indonesia President and CEO Irfan Setiaputra, and the board members of both companies. This visit aims to review the progress of the cockpit modernization and center wing box (CWB) replacement project for C130H aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Air Force (“TNI AU”).
It is the first project for GMF to modernize the cockpit and replace the CWB for C130H aircraft. With the support of technology transfer from the related aircraft manufacturer, the project, which began in December 2021, has completed the removal of several aircraft parts such as propellers, engines, and outer wings. Currently, GMF is undergoing the removal of CWB. The modernization and CWB replacement project for the first C130H aircraft itself is expected to be completed in August 2022.
During the process, Andi emphasized that GMF always ensures that safety requirements are met in accordance with the applicable quality standards. "It is an honor for us to welcome the arrival of the Indonesian Minister of Defense and be trusted to maintain the airworthiness of the Indonesian Air Force’s military transport aircraft. To maintain the safety aspect, GMF has obtained certification from Indonesia Defence Airworthiness Authority (IDAA). GMF also continues to build collaboration with the experienced partners, and ensure the readiness of capacity and capabilities, including materials, manpower, systems, facilities, tools, and equipment," said Andi.
To support the maintenance work, GMF also developed SmartDock, a dock designed specifically for C130H aircraft and equipped with various advanced features. This feature supports automation, eases the maintenance process, as well as improves the safety and security aspects. SmartDock has also met requirements from the relevant aircraft manufacturer and successfully won the Adhikara Engineering Category Engineering, Procurement, & Construction award in the 2021 Indonesian Engineers Association Award.
Furthermore, the Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto also expressed his appreciation for GMF's efforts in supporting the government in rejuvenating its fleet. "If Indonesia has the capability, we hope that the maintenance work can be performed domestically," Prabowo said. This project is also in line with the government's efforts to encourage national independence in the maintenance of the nation’s weapon defense system.
The defense industry is a segment that is currently being developed by GMF as an effort to diversify the Company's business. "C130H modernization project is our contribution to maintaining the feasibility of the nation’s weapon defense system, as well as realizing GMF’s development plan for the defense industry's aircraft maintenance center," concluded Andi.
