REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Involvement of the domestic defense industry and meeting the required specifications are the two key principles to be followed in the procurement of arms, Indonesian House of Representatives' (DPR's) Commission I Head Mahfudz Sidik stated.
"I think the fulfillment of the two principles is very important," Mahfudz noted here, Monday.
This was emphasized in relation to the controversy over the procurement of the Italian AW-101 helicopters.
Mahfudz explained that the plan to procure the heavy-lift helicopters for the Indonesian Air Force is based on the Strategic Plan of "Minimum Essential Forces" (Renstra MEF) 2015-2019, with financing through foreign loans.
He revealed that in accordance with the Renstra, the Indonesian Air Force had purchased the mid-lift Cougar helicopter, which is jointly manufactured by Eurocopter and PT Dirgantara Indonesia.
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"The procurement plan is for a squadron of heavy-lift helicopter, two units of which will be part of the VVIP Air Squadron," he explained.
However, he emphasized that Commission I had yet to conclude discussions on the issue as Renstra MEF is still being studied by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD), while the sources of foreign loans are still being processed by the Minister of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and the Ministry of Finance.
Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Agus Supriatna had earlier stated that the Indonesian Air Force will buy three helicopters for VVIPs as it had been included in the 2015-2019 Air Force strategic plan.
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He noted that the plan to buy the three AW-101 helicopters was purely the result of a study conducted by the VVIP Air Squadron and was further evaluated by the Military Headquarters.
"This is the result of our study, and after a thorough assessment, I decided to buy the VVIP helicopters," the Air Force chief of staff affirmed on Tuesday (November 25).
He emphasized that the purchase of the VVIP helicopters for the president, vice president, state officials, and guests of the country will prioritize safety and comfort.
Moreover, he expressed hope that the first AW101 helicopter would arrive before April 9, 2016.
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