VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla opened the Indo Defense Expo and Forum which is an exhibition and forum of the Main Tools of the domestic production armament system, in Jakarta, Wednesday (7/11). Domestic producers include PT Pindad which produces the main weapons systems for the army, PT PAL for the navy, and PT Dirgantara Indonesia for the air force. Vice President Jusuf Kalla said, a country needs security and defense to protect the country and its people from various threats, both internal and external threat from other country. A country must have armed forces and weapons. For this reason, Jusuf Kalla, who is also a figure in the world peace, asked the domestic defense industry to continue to be improved with technological and scientific innovation.

“The defense industry is needed for independence. We have experience when embargoed in the 90s because of the Timor problem, how difficult it is to obtain defense equipment because of the embargo. Therefore, a country must be ready to be independent of its own capabilities for its technology, in addition to certainly cooperating with other countries, said Jusuf Kalla.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla encouraged cooperation among countries in defense industry production, to maintain mutual peace and anticipate the threat of terrorism and radicalism. The expo also features aerospace and helicopter exhibitions, Indo Aerospace featuring Indo Helicopter 2018 Expo and Forum, and maritime exhibition Indo Marine 2018 Expo and Forum. Attending the opening of the four-day exhibition and forum were the 6th Indonesian Vice President Tri Sutrisno, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahyanto, and dozens of friendly country delegations, including from Malaysia , Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia. (KBRN/Rizki S/AHM)