TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu underlined that the government is committed in prioritizing domestic-made primary defense equipment systems (alutsista). "If we can produce it, why must we purchase? It must be made [domestically]," the Minister said on Friday, November 25, 2016.
Recently, domestic aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia delivered over two out of six of full combat SAR mission EC725 helicopters that were ordered by the ministry of defense to be used by the Indonesian Army Air Force. "It's six for the moment. We’ll see how many the Air Force needs, (then) we’ll buy more," Ryamizard said.
Ryamizard said that Indonesia will start producing a number its primary defense equipment systems. For example, Ryamizard stated that in the next two years, Indonesia hoped to produce submarines. "Maybe in the next five to ten years we would have to build ourselves our own fighter jet," Ryamizard added.
The Minister however, admitted that there are several defense equipments the country still has to purchase from foreign countries, for example, the Sukhoi fighter plane and a submarine from Russia.
AHMAD FIKRI