The Indonesian Military (TNI) has planned to buy 10 light transport aircraft, Cassa 212, from West Java-based aerospace industry PT Dirgantara Indonesia, the Antara news agency reported Monday.

The purchase plan was confirmed by Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Sugiharto during a visit to West Java capital of Bandung Monday.

Sugiharto said the government gave priority to local arms industry in the military spending.

Meanwhile, Dirgantara Acting President Nuril Fuad said the TNI already bought 80 aircraft from his company, a combination of Cassa 212 and CN-235.

He said the Cassa 212, which has a passenger capacity of 12, can be modified for paratroop regiment, maritime patrol and medical plane.

The propeller plane is manufactured under license of Spain's CASA.

"The Cassa 212 aircraft is priced at 4 million US dollars," he was quoted as saying.

He added Dirgantara also received orders for three CN-235s from Malaysia and six others from Thailand. The company has earlier delivered eight CN-235s to South Korea.

Source: Xinhua