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Four more defense weapons arrive in Indonesia
The Indonesian Army has had its new primary weapons defense system expanded after receiving four German-manufactured tanks, namely two Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and two Marder tanks
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he Indonesian Army has had its new primary weapons defense system expanded after receiving four German-manufactured tanks, namely two Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and two Marder tanks.
'Two Leopard and two Marder tanks have arrived,' said Army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Budiman in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by tempo.co.
The four tanks arrived at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta on Sunday morning, and are being refurbished and prepared for operations.
Budiman said he was happy with the arrival of the four tanks, which would be used to strengthen Indonesia's artillery capacity.
'All the tanks purchased are fully functional,' said Budiman.
The Army, he said, now not only had combat tanks but also tanks that offered special functions, such as excavating, bulldozing and minesweeping, as well as support facilities for detachments of army engineers.
The shipping of the German-made was initially scheduled to take place in October. Now, however, the Army plans to exhibit and involve the four tanks in celebrations to mark the 68th anniversary of the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Oct. 5.
It was previously reported that the Defense Ministry had bought 153 tanks worth US$280 million from the German government, comprising 61 Leopard Ri tanks, 42 Leopard 2A4 tanks and 50 Marder tanks.
The purchase agreement was accompanied by a technology transfer agreement signed by state-owned arms manufacturer PT Pindad and the Army's central workshop in November 2012. Under the agreement, all staff will receive maintenance and improvement trainings.
Indonesia has never before had sophisticated heavy tanks. All this time, the Army has depended on light combat tanks, such as the British-manufactured Scorpion, the AMX-13 and AMX-10p tanks, which were manufactured during the 1940s and1950s. (apt/ebf)
