Tallying Indonesia's Arsenal First Step in Building Arms Industry

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Ditulis Oleh Markus Junianto Sihaloho, The Jakarta Globe, November 18, 2009.   
Kamis, 19 November 2009

The Defense Ministry on Wednesday announced that it would be starting a complete list of armaments needed by the military and the police in the future. The list will be the first step toward building a national defense industry.

Senior officials of the military and the police attended a workshop organized by the ministry in Central Jakarta to discuss the plan.

Speaking at the news conference after the opening ceremony, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the weapons listing would help prepare industries connected with national defense to take part in the government’s program to build up defense.

For arms producers, such a program would require a great deal of investment, which means all arms must meet users’ needs.

“The military and police must identify what their needs really are. Of course, it should fit with their priority of operations and the current threats faced,” Purnomo said.

He added that the ministry was planning to suggest that the government issue regulations aimed at accelerating the establishment of a defense industry. Purmono said a presidential regulation was needed requiring the military and the police to purchase defense equipment in bulk from the national defense industry.

“Purchase contracts for large quantities over several years are needed because multiyear financing is needed from our national banks,” he said.

Another regulation should also require the government to provide guarantees to banks involved in financing the development of the arms industry, he said.

Purnomo also added that a presidential decree should oblige national arms producers to manufacture equipment with technical specifications in line with military and police standards.

Mustafa Abubakar, the state enterprises minister, said during the same event that Indonesia had the human resources necessary to establish a national defense industry.

Unfortunately, national defense firms like state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL and arms manufacturer PT Pindad don’t have sufficient means to hire them.