TNI Directly Invited By France For Military Exercise, Commander Andika Immediately Answered: I Make Sure The Marines Join

General TNI Andika Perkasa with KSAU. (YouTube screenshot)

JAKARTA - TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa has strengthened defense and security cooperation with France through the procurement of defense equipment and joint training plans to be held in May 2023.

“I would be very interested in new innovations. I'm sure you (France) will present so many vendors, companies, and so on," Andika said, quoted from General TNI Andika Perkasa's YouTube channel, Sunday, August 14.

Indonesia and France have carried out various cooperations, especially in the field of defense and security through the procurement of defense equipment and various other collaborations.

To that end, Commander Andika held a bilateral meeting with a delegation from the French military to discuss several plans for future cooperation.

The TNI is planned to conduct joint exercises with the France Armed Forces, which will be carried out in a joint manner. In this regard, the TNI is also the only armed force in the Southeast Asia region invited directly to participate in joint exercises.

Commander Andika is very supportive of the implementation of this joint training program. He immediately confirmed that the TNI would participate by sending the Marine Corps.

General TNI Andika Perkasa hopes that this exercise can increase the experience and capabilities of TNI soldiers.

"I will make sure that the Marines also participate for significant developments for the marines," Andika said as quoted by Antara.

Andika said that the TNI will continue to strive to establish good cooperative relations with various countries, including France, to continue to develop the capabilities of TNI soldiers.

On the occasion, M Taczanowski, who is the French delegation, said that his party planned to conduct joint exercises in May 2023 and invited Indonesia to participate.

“Our training is planned for May next year. However, for planning, from the planning team we need to officially accept participation as soon as possible,” said Taczanowski.