Defense Minister Prabowo Affirms Super Tucano Aircraft Is Ready For Combat Conditions
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto stated that two EMB-314 Super Tucano tactical fighter aircraft belonging to the 21 Air Squadron Abd Saleh Air Force Air Force Base that crashed in Pasuruan Regency, East Java were combat ready.
During a visit to Dau, Malang Regency, East Java, Prabowo said that the Super Tucano aircraft owned by Indonesia is a fighter aircraft that is included in the new category. "This is Super Tucano, if I'm not mistaken, it includes new ones. (shape and ready to fight) Yes, it should be," Prabowo said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, November 18. Prabowo explained that in the crash of two Super Tucano fighter aircraft that caused four people to die, it was a risk that often faced by members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI). In carrying out the exercise, said the Minister of Defense, there were indeed many risks that must be faced by the TNI. However, he reminded the soldiers if carrying out such exercises must also be realistic despite having dangerous risks. According to him, the event was surprising and he conveyed an expression of grief for the victims in that event. He also planned to meet the families of victims of plane accidents that occurred in Puspo District, Pasuruan Regency. "It is a risk. Indeed, the defense is full of risk. The exercise must be realistic, even though it contains hazards, both on land, sea, air, mountains, forests, swamps. That is the risk of our soldiers," he said. Two tactical EMB-314 Super Tucano Air Force aircraft crashed in Pasuruan Regency, East Java, Thursday (16/11) afternoon approximately 12.00 WIB. The two planes had registration numbers TT-3111 and TT-3103 which were conducting routine training sessions. The plane took off at 10.51 WIB and lost contact at 11.18 WIB. Two planes experienced lost contact after performing formation maneuvers and penetrating the clouds. Preliminary assumptions, the crash of the fighter plane was due to bad weather.