Jokowi calls for development in domestic defense industry

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called for the development of the domestic defense industry due to the strong foreign market potential, as evidenced by the high level of interest in this sector.

During his visit to the state-owned defense company PT Pindad in Malang District, East Java, on Monday, he remarked that the domestic defense industry currently has promising opportunities.

"I want to underline that our defense industry has promising prospects, and it must be developed," he affirmed.

Jokowi noted that his visit to Pindad's munition production facility aimed to review the potential of the state-owned enterprise (SOE).

The potential of the domestic defense industry sector is quite promising, as shown by the number of questions posed by several countries during his courtesy calls, he said.

"On visits I made to other countries, they always ask questions related to this product, (such as) bullets," Jokowi stated.

Apart from the potential for bullet products made by the domestic defense industry, the foreign market is also seeking several other products, including tactical vehicles and weapons, he remarked.

Moreover, the president has conducted internal discussions to develop Pindad. He is optimistic that the SOE would record better development by having an additional partner.

"At the internal meeting earlier, I said that it would be better if we partnered up. It would be better if we look for a partner to expedite the company's development," he affirmed.

On that occasion, Jokowi said that Pindad had received state capital participation worth Rp700 billion (approximately US$46.5 million) in 2015. With this assistance, the company was able to increase bullet production, from 275 million rounds to 413 million rounds per year.

Until now, Pindad has been able to produce various types and product categories of munitions, ranging from small-caliber munitions, namely 5.56 millimeters (mm) caliber; 7.62 mm caliber; 9 mm caliber; 12.7 mm caliber; 38-inch caliber; and chain-link ammunition caliber in 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and 12.7 mm.

The company was also able to manufacture medium-caliber ammunition comprising 20 mm and 40 mm. For large-caliber munitions, aerial bombs, and rockets, the company also produces field artillery ammunition of 105 mm caliber; MK-81 live bomb; and 122 mm caliber field artillery rockets.

Moreover, Pindad produces various variants of hand grenades, including smoke grenades and flash-bang grenades, and 60 mm caliber and 81 mm caliber mortar grenades. The domestic components in Pindad products reach more than 50 percent.