Pindad Cooperates With Foreign Partners To Produces Big Caliber Munitions

Bandung, W. Java. Feb 28 (Antara) - PT Pindad said it teams up with a number of foreign strategic partners in producing big caliber munitions to meet the country's military (TNI) requirement. PT Pindad cooperates with foreign partners which have high reputation in producing big caliber munitions, Silmy Karim, the president director of the state owned military equipment producing company , said here on Saturday. Silmy said big caliber munitions being produced are ones with the calibers of 20 mm, 40 mm, 76 mm, 90 mm, up to 105 mm produced in Turen, Malang. The latest being tested for certification by the defense ministry and the army is artillery missile of 105 mm caliber. Pindad also develops armored vehicles of 90 mm canons , which is produced only by two countries in the world. The government supports development of the defense technology by PT Pindad to achieve self support in defense industry. PT Pindad also produces military vehicles such as Anoa and Komodo in a number of variants and rifles and pistols. Vice President Director of the company I Wayan Sutama said the company has been ready to produce big caliber munitions. He said in the future the company could produce enough munitions for the country's military especially for armored cars and tanks. Earlier Industry Minister Saleh Husin said Indonesia is set to achieve self reliance in defense industry in 2025. "It is in line with the political will of the government to use domestically produced defense equipment," Saleh Husen said when visiting the army military equipment factory PT Pindad on Friday. Saleh Husin said self reliance in defense industry is important to face possible embargo and for efficiency in defense expenditure.