TNI Commander Asks Defense Attaches To Partner With International Vendors For Alutsista Spare Parts

JAKARTA - TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa ordered the defense attache (athan) in the Garuda Contingent (Konga) operating area to partner with world-class vendors/companies in procuring spare parts for the main weapon system (defense equipment) equipment.

According to Andika, international companies were chosen because they are believed to be professional and credible in providing spare parts needed for defense equipment maintenance, especially the Garuda Contingent's combat vehicles abroad.

"So each (athan) is trying to find international vendors, which means operating (overseas). So, it is necessary to communicate with several companies in their respective areas of responsibility," said the Commander in Chief during a meeting with TNI Headquarters officials and a number of defense attaches abroad, as broadcast by General TNI Andika Perkasa's YouTube channel as reported by Antara, Friday, May 13.

He then said that companies with bigger reputations were better chosen because they were more accountable.

"They don't want to lose trust, and the good name (of the company) is everything. This is all because the service for the maintenance of the Garuda Contingent vehicles there is much more secure," said Andika Perkasa.

Not only that, the Commander also asked the Athan to look for foreign partners who are not too far from the area of operation in order to prevent the risk of damage to spare parts during the delivery process and avoid waste.

During the same meeting, the Indonesian Defense Attaché in Cairo, Egypt, Cavalry Colonel Aria Sanggita Saleh reported to the Commander-in-Chief that he had opened communications with several companies and the peacekeeping task force in the area of operation.

"For us, the Garuda Contingent is in Lebanon, all of whom are members of the Unifil Task Force (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). Then, for spare parts, we have investigated and communicated with the existing task force,” said Colonel Aria.

He said that several companies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were deemed qualified to procure spare parts for the Garuda Contingent's combat vehicles in Lebanon.

"Small (companies) exist in Lebanon, but we cannot guarantee their availability or their continuation is difficult," said Athan RI in Cairo.

After hearing the report, the Commander reminded the Athan again to look for a professional partner in the process of procuring spare parts for combat vehicles.

In the same evaluation meeting, the Commander in Chief also received a report from the Indonesian defense attache in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Pretoria, South Africa; Ankara, Turkey; and Abuja, Nigeria.