Weapons Increased To Defend Sovereignty: President

Surabaya, E Java, March 12 (Antara) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated that strengthening of the Navy`s weaponry was for defending the country`s sovereignty and not for war. "We do not want to fight. But if need be to defend our sovereignty, then we have to be ready. Our navy`s strength has been increased," President Yudhoyono noted during an exhibition and demonstration of the Navy`s main weapons at the Eastern Fleet Pier in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday. He pointed out that violations of sovereignty could happen in many forms, especially territorial, with regard to the country`s territory, which is mostly water. Flanked by Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, President Yudhoyono inspected the weapons that were acquired into the navy force development program during the strategic plan periods of 2005-2009 and 2010-2014. Defense Minister Purnomo added that a number of weapons on display were the four Sygma-class corvets, four Landing Platform Dock vessels, four units of 40 M type Quick Missile Ship and two 43 M type units of Quick Patrol Ship. For the marine force, deliveries of 54 units of BMP-3F amphibious tanks, one unit BREM-L (Tank Recovery) unit and 15 units of LVT 7 Al (Landing Vehicle Tank), two units of CN 235-220 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) and four units of Bonanza G-36 trainer and three units of Bell-412 EP helicopter have been done. On the occasion, models or miniatures of main weapons have also been showcased for the purpose of procurement that will be done after the current cabinet`s term. "The completion of the procurement of the main navy weapons will take a long time," Defense Minister Purnono Yusgiantoro explained. The main weapons shown in their miniature forms were three submarines, two Missile Escort destroyers, two frigates, tall ships to replace current training ship Dewa Ruci that has served for 62 years, three tank transport ships, one of them to transport Leopard tank, two Hydro-oceanography aid ships and two aid liquid petroleum ships. The minister pointed out that TNI AL (Indonesian Navy) will also be strengthened with three CN-235 MPA aircraft, 11 Anti-Submarine helicopters, which are equipped with sonar dipping and torpedoes, five units of BTR-4 armored vehicles and a battery of multi-launcher rocket system. Besides inspecting the exhibition, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also enjoyed the demonstration of TNI-AL weapons including spreading mines from Umar 623 maritime patrol aircraft, the firing of an RBU rocket from navy ships, anti-submarine battle demonstration by a navy ship involving an anti-submarine helicopter, a demonstration of releasing a ship from hijackers by frogmen and an amphibious reconnaissance ship using a Visit Board Search and Seizure, saipass by navy ships and flying pass by navy aircraft and helicopters. On the occasion, President Yudhoyono was also accompanied by defense forces (TNI) commander General Moeldoko, army chief of staff General Budiman, navy chief of staff Admiral Marsetio and air force chief of staff Marshal IB Putu Dunia and East Java governor Soekarwo, education minister Muhammad Nuh, Information and Communication minister Tifatul Sembiring and public works minister Djoko Kirmanto.