Military Technology Should Be World Class

Jakarta, Nov 5 (Antara) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla lauded the development milestones achieved by Indonesia in the field of military technology and hoped that it will be able to compete with foreign producers in manufacturing state-of-the-art military weaponry system. "Military technology is not something easy because it requires meticulous research, high costs, and strong cooperation. But, Indonesia has adequate experience in the field of technology," the vice president stated while inaugurating the Indo Defense Expo 2014 at Kemayoran on Wednesday. Present during the event were Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Tedjo Edhy Purdjijanto, State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio, and Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia, among several others. The vice president noted that Anoa-armored vehicles were very good and capable of competing with similar vehicles manufactured in other countries. Although the defense equipment requires highly sophisticated technology, the vice president emphasized that the industry should be able to provide benefits to the community in addition to being able to defend the country from outside attacks. The vice president pointed out that one of Indonesia`s military capabilities is the national army`s proficiency in intercepting foreign aircraft trespassing into its waters or the national territory. "We can intercept the foreign aircraft, and that means we have great ability," Kalla remarked. The Indo Defense Expo, being organized on November 5-8, 2014, is an annual event of defense and military exhibition that is expected to draw around 15 thousand delegates and buyers.