2 TNI Aircraft 'Failed', Commission I DPR: Need Reform of Defense Equipment SOPs

Illustration. Bonanza G-36 Air Squadron 2 Puspenerbal. (ANTARA-Umarul Faruq)

JAKARTA - Commission I of the House of Representatives assesses the need for reform of standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the main tools of the defense system (Alutsista) in the Indonesian Army (TNI).

"So, there needs to be a reform in the SOP for the TNI regarding the use of fighter aircraft, naval aircraft, or ships, submarines, or tanks", said Member of Commission I, Dave Laksono at the House of Representatives (DPR) Building when responding to the downing of an airliner belonging to the Indonesian Navy on Wednesday, September 7.

Dave expressed his condolences for the crash of the Indonesian Navy trainer aircraft.

He also regrets that a similar incident will be repeated soon. Previously, a fighter plane belonging to the Indonesian Air Force crashed on July 18.

"This must be a future correction", he said, Thursday, September 8, quoted from Antara.

He encouraged the government to be serious in repairing and rejuvenating the defense equipment system so that there needs to be political will and budgeting will from the government.

"So far Pak Andika (TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa) continues to push for repairs. However, the problem is when the combat equipment is old, it is not in prime condition, yes, there should be repairs", he said.

Dave emphasized that the rejuvenation of defense equipment is important to face the real threat of potential conflicts in sight, including potential conflicts in the South China Sea, potential food and energy crises, to pandemic problems that have not yet been resolved.

"Well, if the condition of the TNI is not in a state of alert and the combat equipment is not in prime condition, it is difficult for us to maintain our sovereignty and authority", he said.

Dave saw the need to wait for further official reports regarding the actual reason the Indonesian Navy plane crashed, whether it was due to technical problems or due to human error.

"So, there needs to be an increase in both the treatment and the human resources", said Dave.

He said that his party would also encourage efforts to improve it through the Alutsista Working Committee (Panja) formed by Commission I of the DPR RI.

"Then also the Panja for Private Housing and the Panja for the Welfare of the Soldiers, for what purpose do we encourage all of that? So that there is a basis or material to continue to improve the conditions for the need for the TNI", said Dave.

An aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) lost contact and allegedly crashed in the Surabaya West Shipping Line on Wednesday, September 7.

The G-36 Bonanza T-2503 training aircraft with two crews, namely Pilot Yudistira and Co-pilot Krisna Bakti is currently training with the ranks of the Surabaya Koarmada II.