Indonesia’s PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Greek defense technology company Scytalys have signed a strategic framework agreement to develop a Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) variant of the N219 utility aircraft for the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla). The program includes an initial procurement request for four aircraft.
Signed on November 21, 2025, the agreement designates PTDI as the prime contractor responsible for the aircraft’s configuration, while Scytalys will integrate mission systems, including sensors, communications, data link networks, and the MIMS Airborne Tactical Mission Suite. The signing ceremony was attended by PTDI President & CEO Gita Amperiawan, Scytalys CEO George Menexis, the Indonesian Ambassador to Greece, and Bakamla leadership. Bakamla has submitted its official request for four aircraft—including training, spare parts, and support—to Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning. The development phase is planned to last one year, with contract signing expected by late 2026. This marks the first dedicated maritime surveillance variant of the N219 for Indonesian requirements.
Scytalys will equip the aircraft with the MIMS Airborne system, a modular C2 solution integrating radar, EO/IR sensors, EW suites, navigation systems, avionics, and tactical data links to produce a unified operational picture. The system is already deployed on Hellenic Navy P-3HN Orion aircraft and being integrated into CN-235-220s for the Philippine Navy. MIMS Airborne supports missions such as maritime patrol, law enforcement, SAR, anti-smuggling, surface surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare.
The N219 Nurtanio, a twin-engine, 19-seat STOL aircraft designed for remote operations from short or semi-prepared airstrips, first flew in 2017 and received its type certificate in 2020. PTDI announced the start of serial production in 2024, including new amphibious variants. Powered by two PT6A-42 engines and built to CASR/FAR 23 standards, the N219 offers a 210-knot maximum cruise speed, an 828-nautical-mile ferry range, and a flexible cabin optimized for passenger, cargo, medical, or multi-mission roles. Around 60% of the aircraft’s components are produced domestically.
Demand for the N219 has expanded significantly, with orders or MoUs from Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense, various provincial governments, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and multiple regional airlines.
The future N219 MSA variant will feature a maritime surveillance radar with a detection range of up to 160 nm, a 20 km EO/IR system, more than five hours of endurance, and an operational radius of roughly 200 nm. Missions will include EEZ monitoring, SAR support, counter-narcotics, environmental surveillance, anti-smuggling, surface targeting support, and ASW functions using multi-sensor fusion and tactical planning tools.
The agreement further strengthens Greece–Indonesia defense cooperation, particularly in airborne maritime surveillance capabilities.
