Jakarta – Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto handed over five NC-212i aircraft made by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) to the Indonesian Air Force at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, Jakarta, on Tuesday (12/12).
Prabowo said that the NC-212i, as a domestic defense equipment, is capable of performing various tasks such as aerial photography, aerial navigation, and weather modification or artificial rain.
He also expressed his pride in PTDI. Prabowo hopes that the domestic defense industry will continue to improve its capabilities until it is able to independently produce combat defense equipment.
“We hope that our defense industry will continue to improve until it can produce combat aircraft,” he said during the handover.
“The defense industry is absolutely needed by a sovereign and independent country,” continued Prabowo.
The handover of the light transport aircraft was marked by the symbolic handover of keys by Prabowo to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Wakasau) Air Marshal A. Gustaf Brugman. The five NC-212i is planned to strengthen the 4th Air Squadron, 2nd Air Wing Abdulrachman Saleh Airbase, Malang, East Java.
Prabowo said that a strong air force is essential for Indonesia. He mentioned that it is a necessity for a modern sovereign country.
“Our nation greatly needs a strong military, which must work in joint operations of the three forces, and must function as a modern unified part,” said Prabowo. (SENOPATI)