Bandung, W Java (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Navy has started operating the maritime patrol aircraft CN235 MPA version following its delivery to the Defense Ministry from the country`s aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) on Wednesday.

The CN235 MPA aircraft, the first of three aircraft units ordered by the Navy, was delivered by PTDI president director Budi Santoso through Rear Admiral Rachmat Lubis, who represented the Defense Ministry and was also attended by Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

According to the minister, the CN235 MPA aircraft, which was ordered based on a trading contract signed in December 2009, will be based at the Juanda Naval base in Surabaya, East Java.

In addition to the military aircraft version, the country`s Navy has also operated several units of maritime patrol aircraft of CN212 produced by the PTDI, the minister noted.

Yusgiantoro further stated that the other two CN235 MPA units of aircraft will be operational in 2014 and will help control over 5,800 thousand square kilometers of Indonesia`s territorial waters.

Indonesia actually needs 54 units of CH121 and 21 units of CN235 MPA to control its territory, he pointed out.

Meanwhile, PTDI President Director Budi Santoso said that the maritime patrol aircraft CN235 MPA type is a medium class aircraft, which is equipped with a patrolling facility and has the superiority to control a wide sea territory, such as Indonesia`s.

"South Korea and Turkey also use the CN235 MPA," he added, noting that Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, South Korea, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Senegal and Burkina Faso were also operating the CN235 aircraft.(*)