KSAU The Story Of Defense Minister Prabowo Buying Turkish Drones For Papua Monitoring Operations

JAKARTA - Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marshal TNI Mohamad Tonny Harjono recounted the moment when the Minister of Defense (Menhan) and Elected President Prabowo Subianto purchased an unmanned plane or drone with Beyond line of sight (BLOS) capability from Turkey for procurement next year.

Tonny recounted the moment of purchasing the drone in his remarks at a seminar entitled "The Development of Modern Electronic Technology Changing The Pattern of War" at the East Jakarta Air Force Headquarters, Wednesday, October 9.

"On one occasion I was asked by the Minister of Defense, the President was elected, 'What do the Air Force need?' He said," said KSAU, confiscated by Antara.

Tonny also explained that the Indonesian Air Force needs drones with BLOS capabilities to support monitoring operations in Papua.

He explained that the drone is needed because it can pass all terrain using satellite technology.

In addition, the BLOS drone also has the ability to transmit signals so that it helps the communication process as well as monitor areas where signals are difficult to reach.

Hearing this, Defense Minister Prabowo immediately agreed to buy the drone.

"Immediately he (Prabowo) called the factory owner, it turned out that the factory owner was his parent from Erdogan (Turkey President). He said that 'I will buy.' So, like that," said Tonny.

After opening the seminar, KSAU was asked about the purchase of the drone by the media crew, but he could not confirm how many BLOS drone units the government would buy.

"The unit will depend on the budget, I don't mention how much. However, the Minister of Defense, the President-elected, has promised to provide drones with BLOS capabilities," he said.

With the BLOS drone capability, Tonny believes the Indonesian Air Force will carry out military operations more optimally on terrain that is difficult to reach signals.