"All efforts made to modernise the weapons systems should be coupled with increasing the professional skills of military personnel, as well as their readiness and ability to use modern equipment," President Yudhoyono said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has requested Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI)`s soldiers to improve their skills, at the same time that the country modernises its weapon systems.

"All efforts made to modernise the weapons systems should be coupled with increasing the professional skills of military personnel, as well as their readiness and ability to use modern equipment," President Yudhoyono said here on Saturday.

The President stated that over the past several years the government had been working to improve the quality of the main weapon systems used by TNI`s three forces: the Army, Navy and Air Force.

"We continue to carry out (improvement) for the TNI so that it will continue to do its jobs. We will also try to meet the need for main weapon systems in order to reach the required minimum essential strength. Through cooperation in the defense industry with friendly countries, God willing, our main weapon system in the near future will increase significantly," the president said.

In the face of increasing challenges, the TNI soldiers` abilities and readiness must also be increased.

In the near future, a number of main weapon systems for the Army, such as main battle tanks, arms, transport helicopters, combat helicopters and other equipment, will be delivered.

Also, the Air Force will be equipped with 24 F16 fighter jets, Super Tucano planes and T-50 training aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Navy, the president said, will receive corvette war ships, destroyers, maritime patrol frigate missiles and multi-barrel tactical rockets.

Recently, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said that the Indonesian Air Force will be able to operate 18 new Grob G120TP-A training aircraft, bought from Germany, by 2014.

"We had ordered 18 Grob aircraft and have received four of the training aircraft in Yogyakarta," Yusgiantoro revealed, following a handover ceremony held at the Adisutjipto Airbase last month.

The second stage of deliveries will include six Grob aircraft and is to be completed by the end of 2013, with the remaining eight training aircraft to be delivered to the TNI AU by as early as 2014.

Yusgiantoro further stated that the 18 Grob aircraft will replace several older training aircraft, such as the AS-202B Bravo and T-34C Charlie.

The price of the 18 Grob Aircraft is US$72 million, which is part of the TNI AU program aimed at renewing the main weaponry systems, including training aircraft.

"The training aircraft procurement is part of the implementation of an Indonesia-Germany MoU, which proposed the renewal of the main weaponry systems of TNI AU," Yusgiantoro said.

The new Grob aircraft will also enhance the Education Squadron of the 101 Adisutjipto air base.

The TNI AU has ordered 18 Grob aircraft, based on the needs of strategic and tactical programs aimed at defending Indonesian sovereignty.

"The renewal of the training aircraft is included in the TNI strength development program, which was designed to be carried out over 15 years. Given these additional 18 training aircraft, the TNI AU will now have significantly more power," Yusgiantoro said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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