"We are conducting a military joint exercise to measure and test our units` capabilities..."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - At least 16,745 Indonesian military (TNI) soldiers are participating in the Joint Military Exercise 2013 held in East Kalimantan and West Nusa Tenggara on April 15 to May 29, 2013.
"There are also several types of Indonesian Air Force military aircraft participating in the joint exercise," said Indonesian Military Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono after inaugurating the Joint Exercise 2013 in Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, here on Monday.
The Indonesian Army will deploy several primary weaponry in the defense system including 14 units of Scorpio Tank, five Stormer Apc Tanks, two Stormer Co Tanks, 13 Amx Tanks, 21 batteries, 12 units of Mi-17 Helicopters, 12 units of Bell Helicopter, and three units of Bolco helicopter.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Navy will deploy at least 36 Indonesian military vessels (KRI), 17 units of BMP-3F amphibian tanks, 33 units of BTR-50 tanks, six Kapa K-61 cargo tanks, seven LVT-7A1 tanks, two BVP-2 tanks, two RM-70/Grad missiles, three units of Cassa type aircraft and five marine helicopters.
The Indonesian Air Force (IAF) also deploys its primary weaponry including five Sukhoi SU 27/30 multi-purpose jet fighters, five F-16 jet fighters, five Hawk SPO jet fighters, five Hawk PBR jet fighters.
The IAF also will be operating 11 units of C-130 cargo aircraft, two units of B-737 reconnaissance aircraft, two units of Cassa C-212 aircraft, two units of CN-235 aircraft, one unit of CN-235 MPA aircraft, two Nas-332/Sa-330 helicopters and four Ec-120 Colibri helicopters.
The TNI Commander flanked by Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Ida Bagus Putu Dunia, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Marsetio as well as Deputy Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Moeldoko and other TNI high-ranking officials said the national military strategy plays an important role in defending national sovereignty in view of Indonesia`s strategic position in the world.
Agus said the situation has forced Indonesia to build defense abilities and high level operation preparedness to deal with any threats and other challenges.
"We are conducting a military joint exercise to measure and test our units` capabilities and prepare interoperability of our joint forces in preventing and dealing with any threats to the country," Agus said.
He said TNI should deploy all its capacities to create a new holistic approach system of military operations through TNI interoperability in the future.
"The interoperability capability in a joint operation as a modern military strategy development has become the main key to expanding the capability in military operations, whether strategic or tactical operations," Agus said.
The purpose of the joint military exercise is to increase soldiers` professionalism in conducting joint military operations, test the soldiers` capability in planning, realizing and controlling joint operations.
The exercise has several aspects which are to be achieved including strategic, operational, tactical, technical aspect, procedural and psychological aspects.
The exercise covers several kinds of operations such as close air support, tactical intelligent operation, special mission operation, and air base capturing effort as well as join maritime exercise and territorial operations.
(Uu.B019/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
