The TNI must be strong in all branch of services, including the Army, Navy and Air Force. For this reason, together with the Vice Minister, we want to strengthen the operational ranks of the TNI's real combat force, and we will strengthen the TNIJakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Defense, Military Lt. General (retired) Prabowo Subianto vowed to strengthen the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI's) primary weaponry defense system, during a visit to the TNI Headquarters in East Jakarta, Wednesday.
On his arrival, Prabowo was welcomed by TNI Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.
The commander was accompanied by Chief of Staff of the Navy Admiral TNI Siwi Sukma Adji, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Yuyu Sutisna and Deputy Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Tatang Sulaiman.
The TNI Chief and the Chiefs Of Staff then made presentations on the Minimum Essential Force program. Prabowo responded by saying the plans are on the right track.
Although he was proud of the TNI's capabilities, the defense minister believed that they needed to be improved further, especially the primary weaponry defense system and human resources.
Therefore, he would support the acquisition of defense equipment required by the TNI to protect Indonesia, Prabowo assured.
"The TNI must be strong in all branch of services, including the Army, Navy and Air Force. For this reason, together with the Vice Minister, we want to strengthen the operational ranks of the TNI's real combat force, and we will strengthen the TNI," he said.
The TNI must always be alert to threats that could disrupt the sovereignty and integrity of Indonesia, Prabowo stressed.
Meanwhile, Tjahjanto hoped that under Subianto’s leadership, the Ministry of Defense, together with the TNI, would make state defense a formidable force and face any threats and challenges that may confront Indonesia.
Furthermore, the TNI Commander and the Chiefs of Staff conveyed the Work Programs that have been implemented and will be implemented, as well as the TNI's achievements in the defense sector thus far.
"To follow up on the directives of the President, as the commander of the military forces, I am trying to determine 11 Priority Programs, and accelerate it with a program of 100 working days at the beginning of the term," he said.
The eleven priority programs include revitalization of the MEF, refining the TNI doctrine, making the TNI an adaptive organization, developing competency-based human resources, as well as a branch of service training. (INE)
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
