The Indonesian Navy showcased its latest primary weapons systems during a ceremony at the Madura Pier, the Eastern Fleet headquarters in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inspected the military hardware, which included warships, missiles and helicopters.

'€œWe do not want a war but if we have to fight to defend our sovereignty, then we are ready,'€ he said during the inspection.

There was also a flyover involving maritime patrol versions of the CN-235 and NC-212, which were manufactured by state-owned airframer PT Dirgantara Indonesia, and Australian-made GAF N-22 Nomad patrol aircraft.

Additionally, Navy chief of staff Adm. Marsetio briefed the president on the procurement of naval weapon systems.

The displayed warships included four Diponegoro-class SIGMA corvettes, four Makassar-class landing platform dock (LPDs), four 40-meter Clurit-class fast missile boats (KCR-40s) and two 43-meter fast patrol boats (PC-43).

The corvettes were built in the Netherlands, one of the LPDs in South Korea and the other LPD, the KCR-40 and the PC-43 were built in Indonesia by local shipbuilders.

Marsetio added that the Navy was waiting for three British-made Bung Tomo-class multi-role light frigates (MRLFs), as well as three KCR-60s and two more PC-43s.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said that the Marine Corps had received 54 Russian-made BMP-3F amphibious infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) and one BREM-L recovery vehicle as well as 15 LVT 7A1 amphibious vehicles that were donated by Korea.

The Navy has also procured two CN-235-220 MPA, four Beechcraft G-36 Bonanza trainer airplane, three Bell 412-EP helicopters as well as Russian-made Yakhont and Chinese-made C-802 anti-ship missiles. (nvn)

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