Deputy Minister Of Defense: Defense Minister Prabowo Buys 42 New Fighter Planes, A History In Indonesia

The Indonesian Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Deputy Minister of Defense Muhammad Herindra said the condition of the main weapon system (alutsista) or Indonesian war equipment was heading for a better direction in supporting the TNI's main duties and functions. Herindra said Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto had shown his concern in maintaining the performance of the TNI with the procurement of new defense equipment.

"For example, the Minister of Defense has purchased 42 new Rafale fighter aircraft. There has never been a history as long as this republic is established, the procurement of 42 new war tools, this is at the Minister of Defense. This is ready for just seven years to come," said Herindra in a discussion entitled "Building Defense Forces in the Regional Region" at the Media Center Indonesia Maju, Jakarta, Friday, January 12.

Herindra said that while waiting for the new defense equipment to arrive, the Ministry of Defense tried to fill the vacancy to find a faster fit defense equipment. This also aims to strengthen Indonesia's defense equipment, where there are several war tools with quite old age that came from procurement in the 60s era.

"In waiting for a new one, this vacant vacancy is filled. This is not a used and new problem, but whether the aircraft war equipment is still like wearing it or not," he said.

He gave an example of the roof of a house that has holes, of course, it must be immediately closed with ready-to-use materials. Similar analogies also occur in strengthening national defense.

"The Minister of Defense is concerned about buying new war tools, but at this time we see there is a vacancy and there are some that must be held quickly so that if you want to buy a new one is not as fast and easy as that, it is not easy to procure war equipment, you don't have money, you can't necessarily buy it," continued Herindra.

Herindra said Prabowo really cares about maintaining the TNI's performance so that it is more optimal. Therefore, Prabowo always discusses and absorbs the aspirations of the TNI.

"We will give our best. The procurement of war equipment contains a bottom up mechanism, basically we ask the force first, what is the need, then they submit it to us and we see how much budget is available," said Herindra.