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Hercules crash 'old problem' of RI weaponry systems: Expert
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) executive director Rizal Sukma has said the crash of a Hercules C-130 aircraft in Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday, highlights a structural problem that has long been affecting the primary defense weaponry system (alutsista) in Indonesia
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enter for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) executive director Rizal Sukma has said the crash of a Hercules C-130 aircraft in Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday, highlights a structural problem that has long been affecting the primary defense weaponry system (alutsista) in Indonesia.
'I think we have no other choice for Indonesia's weaponry system except reviewing it thoroughly,' the researcher said as quoted by Antara news agency on Thursday.
He made his comments on the Hercules C-130 incident, which killed 142 people, to journalists in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Rizal said to reach a solution on the limited defense spending in the state budget, the Indonesian Military should focus its weaponry system modernization in four areas.
First, he said, it should develop its defense mobile capacity in land, sea and air transportation by prioritizing the procurement of military transportation equipment.
'Implications of this area are quite huge, such as improved capacity of the Indonesian military in carrying troops in a non-military operation which truly depends on the rapid movement of the troops in the field,' said Rizal.
Second, he said, the Indonesian Military should strengthen its remote sensing and espionage capacity as it had important impacts on the government's other priorities such as combating illegal fishing, border violations and smuggling.
The researcher further said it was critical for the Indonesian Military to focus its attention on fields related to humanitarian operations, such as post-disaster humanitarian assistance.
The military's contributions to global peace must be improved, especially in its role as a peacekeeping force operating under the initiative of the UN.
Rizal said the number of Indonesian Military personnel involved in UN peacekeeping forces had reached 2,000, and Indonesia aimed to increase the number to 4,000.
He said improving the capacity of military personnel, which would allow them to get involved in peacekeeping operations, was important as it was in line with the 1945 Constitution. Such involvement would not only give them experience but also strengthen Indonesia's name in the international community as well as opening a path for Indonesia to develop its defense industry.
'I think these four areas should become our focus. There's no need to walk too far because our defense budget is very limited, reaching only around US$8.3 billion,' said Rizal. (ebf)(++++)
