REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - South Korea's company specializing in production of Wing-In-Ground-Effect Craft, Aron Flying Ship Ltd, offers its cutting edge flying ship to Indonesia. The company demonstrated the M-50 flying ship here in Jakarta on Friday to Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesian Army and Navy as well as Indonesian Police. 

President Director of Aron Flying Ship Ltd, Hyunwook Cho, stated that the aircraft could fly up to 220 kilometers per hour, yet claimed to be energy saver. "With 200 litre of fuel, it can fly to 800 kilometers. It is also faster than a speedboat," he said.

He explained that the 1,700 kilograms flying ship could land in 50-meter-deep ocean and fly even above 2-meter waves. "The engine is 250 horsepower. It can be used as a surveillance, navigation and even for search and rescue," he said.

So far the flying ship has attracted several countries, such as US, Colombia and Philippines. Yet, Indonesia is still in doubt. "The engine capacity is limited. It is not appropriate for ocean," representative from Indonesian Air Forces, Colonel Amrizal, said. 

Inspectorate General of Ministry of Defense, Sumartono, said the flying ship was perfect for sea rescue instead of for military equipment. He said that the ministry would study several aspects, such as the maintenance, the price and the possibility of transfer of technology.

A member of House of Representatives, Susaningtyas Kertopati, said the five million USD flying ship was very suitable for guarding sea and preventing illegal logging and illegal fishing. "It would be best for Indonesia to have this ship," he said.

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