TNI Calls The Decision To Purchase J-10 Chengdu Fighter Jets At The Ministry Of Defense's Desk

Head of Information Center (Kapuspen) TNI Headquarters Major General TNI (Mar) Freddy Ardianzah. BETWEEN PHOTOS/Fakhri Hermansyah/bar.

JAKARTA - The TNI Headquarters (Mabes) has fully handed over the decision to purchase the J-10 Chengdu fighter aircraft made in China to the Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan).

This was conveyed by the Head of the Indonesian Armed Forces Information Center (Kapuspen) Maj. Gen. (Mar) Freddy Ardianzah in response to Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin's statement who previously said that J-10 would soon be airborne in Jakarta.

"The acquisition of the J-10 Chengdu fighter aircraft is part of a defense policy that is under the authority and responsibility of the Ministry of Defense," Freddy said when confirmed in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, October 16.

Freddy explained that the TNI only acts as the main weapon system operator (alutsista) purchased based on the Ministry of Defense's decision.

In addition, the TNI is also preparing all supporting infrastructure, starting from maintenance, technicians, to training flight crews.

However, this step was only taken after there was certainty of the purchase of a new defense equipment from the Ministry of Defense.

"All of them still refer to the decisions and directions of the Ministry of Defense," said Freddy.

Previously, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the Chinese-made Chengdu J-10 fighter would soon fly in Jakarta.

"He will soon fly in Jakarta," said Sjafrie in Jakarta, last Wednesday without specifying the time of the plane's inaugural flight.

Meanwhile, Head of the Defense Information Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang said that the purchase of J-10 fighter aircraft was still under study by the Indonesian Air Force.

"The J-10 is currently being studied by the Indonesian Air Force. We want to make sure the defense equipment platform is the best," he said in Central Jakarta.

The study was carried out to ensure that the purchase of the J-10 aircraft was appropriate in the context of strengthening Indonesia's air defense. He also ensured that the Ministry of Defense had not discussed the budget value for the procurement of warplanes from the Bamboo Curtain Country.