[Indonesia Report] Indonesia to import three submarines from South Korea

Leopard Tank made in Germany (Photo: www.vivanews.com)

On Tuesday, October 2, Indonesian House of Representatives ratified Bill of Defense Industry to be a lawful regulation.

According to Vivanews’, Indonesian Mass Media, reported that The House of Representatives believe that Indonesia does not need to import the main tools of weapon system anymore if Indonesian domestic industry can produce it.

This would be an opportunity for Indonesian domestic arms industry to grow.

Despite of that, imported products are still dominating the budget for the main tools of weapon system. The budget for imported weapon is increasing from IDR 64.4 Trillion in 2012 to ID 77.7 trillion in 2013.

Head Staff of Indonesian Army, General Pramono Edhie Wibowo said Army forces would add two battalions of MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) made in Brazil, one battalion of Anti-aircraft missile and two battalions of cannon 155 mm/Caesar made in France.

“As you know, we also want to bring in Leopard Tank. Because the process is longer so only 44 units will be arrived this October.” Wibowo said.

Indonesia Naval forces are also planning to receive six units of submarine, three units from South Korea and three others from England. According to Head Staff of Indonesia Navy, Admiral Soeparno, they are also expecting one quadroon of Anti-Submarine Helicopter from United States.

As for Indonesia Air Forces, Head Staff of Indonesia Air Forces, Marshall Imam Sufa’at, told Vivanews that they will add ten more Hercules aircrafts from Australia.

Asked on the reason of importing weaponry, General Pramono Edhie Wibowo said, “We are prioritizing domestic product but if our domestic industry could not provide it then we need to import it.”

He also added that the Army Forces has been using local products even before the regulation was enforced.

They used local products for soldiers’ parachute, backpack, helmet and helicopter.

Naval Forces are also using domestic products such as LPD (Landing Platform Dock), Fast Ship Missile and Patrol Ship.

Even though Admiral Soeparno admitted that there is some improvement needed but the quality is kept being enhanced.

Meidyana Rayana Intern Reporter news@theasian.asia