The country needs only a strong navy for national defense and "wet would continue to foster friendly relations with other countries," Marsetio said in Sota, regency of Merauke, Papua, on Monday.
Marsetio was in Sota to accompany the Indonesian military chief Gen. Moeldoko on an inspection visit to the border area with Papua New Guinea.
He said Indonesia is interested only in strengthening its defense to protect its sovereignty, therefore, there has been no plan to procure a mother ship.
He said in fact the navy is in a problem to operate its ships because of limited supply of fuel.
However, President Joko Widodo has promised to increase fuel supply for the navy in 2015 to allow it to operate its ships as scheduled, he said.
The navy will procure 12 units of submarine until 2024 including three units in 2015.
The submarines will be built in South Korea and by the state shipbuilding company PT PT.PAL Surabaya. ***1*** (AS/H-YH)
(T.SYS/B/H-ASG/B/H-YH) 29-12-2014 19:27:27
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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