Budget Rises, Defense Minister Calls Air Alutsista A Priority

BOGOR - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto said several air defense equipment were a priority for the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan) spending, especially after the allocation of the defense equipment expenditure budget sourced from foreign loans (PLN) increased.

The Ministry of Finance is known to have approved an increase in the budget allocation for the main equipment expenditure of the foreign weapon system (alutsista) in 2024, up from the original figure approved by the President of 20.75 billion dollars to 25 billion US dollars.

"There are many priorities, we need a transport plane, we need a refueling (fueling, red) in the air. We don't have it yet, our neighboring country already has one," said Defense Minister Prabowo as quoted by Antara, Friday, December 1.

Prabowo assessed that the adequate defense budget for defense equipment spending is important because to ensure that Indonesian soldiers and defense equipment are always in a state of combat to maintain the sovereignty and boundaries of the country's territory from foreign threats.

Prabowo believes that no one can ensure a peaceful situation, which is currently enjoyed, lasting, because one day conflict can break out so that the state needs to have a strong defense to protect its territory and people.

"In terms of defense, the most important thing is readiness,readiness. This readiness is also a problem about (regulation, ed.) disasters and so on, yes we are ready. We can't do something, then we move to find tools. Can't do that," said Defense Minister Prabowo.

He continued to maintain sovereignty and strengthen Indonesia's defense also cannot be based solely on hope. "We can't just be based on expectations or oh, we haven't had a war with other countries for 40 years," said Prabowo Subianto.

At the same location, Prabowo also said that defense is a vital matter for the integrity of the country considering the vast territory of Indonesia, especially when compared to the area of Europe.

"The area of our territory (Indonesia, ed.) is as wide as Europe. Europe is 27 countries or 28, we are one country. Some say defense is expensive. True. Defense is expensive, independence is expensive, sovereignty is expensive. We want to be an honorable country that is expensive. And we must understand that having a war force is absolute to guarantee our independence. We understand and we understand that manning to run defense requires the nation's best sons and daughters, "said Prabowo Subianto when giving a speech at the handover ceremony of the H225M helicopter at Atang Sendjaja Air Base.

The Defense Minister handed over eight units of Airbus H225M heavy transport helicopters, originally named Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, to the Indonesian Air Force at Atang Sendjaja Air Base (Lanud), Bogor, West Java, Friday.

The eight Airbus helicopters, which were all assembled and equipped by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI), are now officially strengthening the 8 Wing 4 Air Squadron at Atang Sendjaja Air Base.

Not only handing over eight helicopter units to the Indonesian Air Force, which were received directly by the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (KSAU) Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo, Prabowo also inaugurated the full flight simulator Airbus Helicopters H225M at Atang Sendjaja Air Base.