Jokowi conveyed this while receiving a courtesy visit from Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro in Manila on Thursday.
"I appreciate the trust placed by the Philippine Department of National Defense in products from Indonesia, especially defense equipment products, such as planes and ships," Jokowi stated.
Regarding cooperation in aircraft procurement, the president noted that the cooperative relationship has existed since a long time. Currently, the procurement of six NC212i aircraft produced by Indonesia's aircraft manufacturer, PT DI, is being processed.
"The relationship between the two countries has existed for 38 years. In 2018, PT DI also sent two NC212i aircraft," Jokowi remarked.
Moreover, he believes that Indonesia and the Philippines can continue to strengthen this cooperation, including through plans to acquire anti-submarine warfare aircraft by the Philippine Navy.
Indonesia is also offering the CN2335-220 aircraft produced by PT DI that can be used for anti-submarine warfare missions, he stated.
"We hope that Indonesia can continue to support the Philippines' aircraft needs through g to g (inter-governmental) partnership, with a direct contract scheme as a long-term partnership commitment,” Jokowi noted.
Apart from aircraft procurement, the two countries are also working in the procurement of other defense equipment products, namely ships.
Jokowi highlighted that the two countries had signed a contract to procure two landing dock warships produced by Indonesia’s shipbuilding company, PT PAL, which had earlier been implemented in 2016 and 2017.
"Once again, thank you for the Philippines' trust in Indonesian defense equipment products. I am sure that in the future, we will establish more cooperation," he remarked.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir also accompanied President Jokowi at the meeting.
Related news: Jokowi discusses transportation cooperation with Philippines
Related news: Indonesia ready for ASEAN collaboration to finalize COC in SCS
Translator: Yashinta Difa P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
