KRI Nanggala-402 Is Missing, Minister Of Defense Prabowo: State Defense Is A Very Complicated Job

TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (Youtube Puspen TNI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto said the disappearance of the KRI Nanggala-402 was proof of the complexity of maintaining national defense. It takes the main technology related to the main weapon system (Alutsista).

"So indeed this incident also underlines that indeed national defense is a very complex undertaking which requires very high technology and which contains an element of danger. So this is a matter of national defense. Almost all state defense activities, whether at sea in the air or on land contain these three elements", Prabowo said at a press conference with the TNI Commander, Thursday, April 22.

Meanwhile, in carrying out its duties, Prabowo must be ready to fight at any time. Therefore, it takes exercises that Prabowo calls high risk.

“Then also that defense equipment in the defense sector is quite expensive. I can even say that it is very expensive. "Therefore, the leadership of the state is always faced with the dilemma of having to prioritize welfare development, but maintain defense capabilities so that our sovereignty is not disturbed", he added.

Prabowo emphasized that the modernization of defense equipment is a priority. According to him, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered the preparation of a master plan to ensure the strength of the national defense.

"(Compilation) of the master plan (span of) 25 years which gives us a totality of defense capabilities, we are currently finalizing. We are working on it, we are working on it, God willing, in 2-3 weeks we will complete it together with the TNI Commander and the Chief of Staff and we will convey it to the President", he said.

Previously, TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto confirmed that the search for the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine that was lost in the waters north of Bali would continue. Hadi said that all Indonesian Navy soldiers were deployed to carry out this mission, including being assisted by a joint team.

"Until today, the search is still being carried out. Indonesian Navy, all soldiers are searching for and helping the KRI Nanggala", said Hadi in a press conference broadcast on the TNI Puspen YouTube account, Thursday, April 22.

In this search and rescue mission, the TNI also received assistance from other countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia.

"We all hope that the search efforts will produce results and raise hopes to save all KRI Nanggala personnel", said Hadi.