The six helicopters` delivery was done at Squadron 21 of the Army Aviation Center base, Pondok Cabe, in the presence of Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Armed Forces Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono, Army Chief of Staff Gen Pramono Edhie Wibowo and Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Alexander Ivanov.
Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Indonesia is focusing on the procurement of major weapons such as multifunctional Mi-17 helicopters for military wars and other operations.
"Indonesia of about 17 thousand islands, large and small, really needs the transportation mode support including military transport to reach all its parts, especially areas that cannot be reached by medium and large aircraft," he said.
Moreover, the increasing threats such as terrorism and separatism require the quick handling to deploy troops to the affected regions.
These helicopters can also be used for mapping disaster areas, transporting humanitarian aid and evacuate people in disaster-hit areas.
"So, such helicopters are very useful," said Minister of Defense.
Armed Forces Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono also said that these helicopters could also be used to secure border lines, both monitoring troops and logistic deployment.
"The helicopters can also be used to transport assault and troops to secure the border," he said.
Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo said the Mi-17s have a big carrying capacity.
"The army is will procure 18 Mi-17 choppers based for Helicopter Assault Squadron 31, so that one battalion of troops can be transported at the same time," he said.
Mi-17 haulage is also considered bigger than that of the existing Bell helicopters which can only carry one third of it.
Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Alexander Ivanov said the Mi-17 helicopters procurement was using "state loan" provided by the Russian Government.
"The `state loan` of 56 million U.S. dollars are provided under light conditions favorable to Indonesia because the country is a good partner," he said.
All the Mi-17 V5 helicopters will be stationed at the Army`s Aviation Base Air Assault Squadron in Semarang, Central Java.
(Uu.A050/H-NG/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
