REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Moeldoko revealed that his institution is planning to purchase new main weaponry systems to replace the old ones.
"Yes, we have the plan to procure new main arms systems, particularly fighter aircraft for the TNI," the TNI chief remarked here on Friday.
However, he stated that the proposal to purchase the weaponry systems is still in the planning stage.
"We have not yet reached the technical phase," he affirmed.
The TNI chief noted that some of the jet fighters are already old and need to be replaced to maintain the quality of the defense system.
"All this is still in the planning stage and is still being discussed at the Defense Ministry. No final decision has yet been made," Moeldoko stated.
Several warplanes, including the F-5 Tiger jet, will be replaced with Sukhoi Su-35S, Gripen, or F16.
Regarding the budget, General Moeldoko could not disclose the figures as the numbers had not yet been discussed.
"The budget for the defense forces has not yet been finalized, thus we do not have proper details," he noted.
He said that the final budget could be decided after February 12, 2015.
General Moeldoko expressed hope that the plan, if realized, is expected to reinforce the TNI's strength in maintaining the state's stability and security through the procurement of quality combat equipment.
In the meantime, the Indonesian Air Force (TNIAU) wants more sophisticated fighter jets, such as the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35S, to replace its aging F-5 Tigers, Chief of the Air Force Vice Marshall Agus Supriatna stated.
The Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35S meets the requirements of TNIUA's weaponry system, Supriatna noted after opening a leadership meeting of the air force here on Wednesday.
He expressed hope that the government will fulfill the request put forth by the air force and will purchase Sukhoi Su-35S to reinforce its weaponry system to help secure the Indonesian airspace.
"We hope the government fulfills our wish to purchase Sukhoi Su-35S. We can place the orders, but we, as the operator, want 4-plus generation jet fighters to be ordered," the air force chief remarked.
One of the reasons for the TNIAU's plan to purchase these jets is that they will be much easier for the air force to maintain.
"We hope our technicians do not face any problems with the Sukhoi aircraft. It is important that we purchase newer generation jets," Supriatna noted.
Furthermore, the Russian government supports Indonesia's plan to buy the multirole Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jets to enhance the capability of the country's air force.
"We hope the agreement to buy Su-35S can be inked soon. Military cooperation between the two countries was established a long time ago. We want to maintain that," Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Mikhail Galuzin noted late last month.
The ambassador affirmed that the Russian government was ready for the same if Indonesia decided to buy Su-35S.
In addition, Galuzin pointed out that there was also potential for cooperation to be achieved between the two nations in various fields, including construction, military, and nuclear energy.
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