President Jokowi Officially Names N-219 Aircraft Nurtanio

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially named the N-219 aircraft as Nurtanio at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, here, Friday.

"In the name of Allah, Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially name N-219 as the Nurtanio aircraft," the head of state stated.

The Nurtanio aircraft has been developed by the National Aerospace and Aeronautic Institute and state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia.

"The late Air Vice Marshal Nurtanio Pringgodisuryo was a national patriot who fought without expecting anything in return," Jokowi noted while announcing the new name for the N-219.

Pringgodisuryo had dedicated his entire life to Indonesia's aeronautics and died while conducting a test flight.

Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana; Minister/State Secretary Pratikno; Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi; State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno; Technology, Research, and Higher Education Minister M. Nasir; and Head of the Presidential Staff Office Teten Masduki.

Jokowi called for intensifying the marketing of passenger aircraft.(WDY)