Additional NC212is for the Philippine Air Force
In April 2023, the Philippine Department of National Defence has signed a contract with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for the delivery of six NC212i Aviocars plus spare parts for the Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas (PAF, Philippine Air Force). Unfortunately no delivery dates were announced.
In addition to this order PTDI also won a maintenance contract for the two NC212i Aviocars already active for the PAF since 2018. These two, serials 2119 (c/n N110) and 2120 (c/n N111), are operated by the 223rd Airlift Squadron Nomads at Mactan-Benito Ebuen Airbase at Cebu. If the newly ordered aircraft will also join this squadron is unknown at the time of writing.
The PTDI NC212i is the latest development in what originally was the CASA C212 way back in 1971. PTDI's predecessor IPTN received the license to build the C212 in 1976 as the NC212-100 and as of 2008 PTDI is the sole manufacturer of the type. The model -400 was discontinued in 2014 after which the NC212i is the latest and only production model.
Other operators of the type in Southeast Asia are the air forces of Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.
Photo by Gerard Belvis (via jetphotos.com)