I thank God that we have been able to produce propellants, a raw material used to produce bullets and rockets, domestically. I am optimistic that in the years to come, we would have a strong defense manufacturing industryJakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto received a courtesy call from Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Dato Zaenal Abidin Bakar here Wednesday. The Malaysian Ambassador congratulated Subianto for his new position as defense minister, the Defense Ministry said in a press statement here.
The ambassador hoped that the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Malaysia in the field of defense, in particular, could be strengthened as it would be crucial for regional stability.
The cooperation between the defense forces of both countries could also be intensified, Bakar hoped.
Earlier, Subianto received a delegation from Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) headed by Michael Petukho, its deputy director.
Subianto was appointed as Indonesia’s defense minister in Jokowi’s second-term administration cabinet line-up.
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Subianto, 68, was an ex-commander of the Indonesian Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) during the administration of Indonesia's second president Soeharto, who was also his father-in-law.
Jokowi announced the complete list of his cabinet ministers that comprised old hands and fresh faces on the steps of the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on October 23, 2019.
Subianto shared his optimism about Indonesia having a strong national defense manufacturing industry in the future.
The defense manufacturing industry is currently able to produce propellants used in bullet and rocket propulsion, he stated at a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPRs) Commission I in Jakarta on November 11, 2019.
"I thank God that we have been able to produce propellants, a raw material used to produce bullets and rockets, domestically. I am optimistic that in the years to come, we would have a strong defense manufacturing industry," he noted.
State firms engaged with the defense industry, including weapons manufacturer PT Pindad, shipbuilder PT PAL, and aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia, were able to export their products, Subianto pointed out.
The defense ministry is seeking to create a strong and professional state defense and security apparatus, and in making the National Defense Forces (TNI) a force to reckon with at the regional level, he stated.
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
