President: Don't Worry About Modernization of RI's Armaments

Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked other countries not to worry about Indonesia's step to modernize its main armament systems, arguing that the move is merely aimed at upholding sovereignty and keeping the territory intact. "Some quarters abroad are worried about the modernization and intensification of Indonesia's military strength. There is no need to worry. Indonesia is a peace-loving nation but the sovereignty and integrity of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia is of utmost importance. War is the last resort in the event of no other alternative," the President tweeted on his twitter account @SBYudhoyono on Friday. In line with the country's robust economic growth in the past nine years, the modernization of the Indonesian military's main armament systems is inevitable to allow it to conduct joint military operations, he stated. "Today (Thursday, Feb. 13), we saw a squadron of 16 T-50i fighter jets to complete 24 F-16 and 16 Super Tucano planes, which are already in place. We also have equipped the squadron with Sukhoi fighter jets," he added. The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has also received nine CN-235s, nine C-130s, and a number of new helicopters, trainer planes and unmanned aerial vehicles, he explained. "These main armament systems began to arrive in 2013. God willing, they will all enter the Indonesian military (TNI)'s formation by 2018," he asserted.(*) Reporting by Panca Hari Prabowo