"The Indonesian military industry has made progress. I am interested in what has been displayed," Kiyonga said
Kampala, Uganda (ANTARA News) - Uganda Defense Minister Kiyonga Cripus has expressed interest in Indonesian military industry products including CN 295 military transport plane.

"The Indonesian military industry has made progress. I am interested in what has been displayed," Kiyonga said after a meeting with visiting Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Kampala, Uganda, on Tuesday.

Following the meeting, the Indonesian delegation held a mini exhibition displaying a number of military industry products including bulletproof vest, soldier helmet, soldier food, assault rifle SS1, and models of CN 235 and CN 295 produced by aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI).

Kiyonga accompanied by Uganda Armed Forces Commander Katumba Wamala looked enthusiastic in observing the items put on display.

"I will come to Indonesia to see for myself how the military items are produced," Kiyonga said.

Kiyonga said he, along with his team would also visit the Indonesian Peace and Security Center (IPSC) in Sentul, West Java, which serves as a training center for peacekeeping troops and counter-terrorism forces.

"The Indonesian peacekeeping force is well known in Africa," he said referring to the role played by the Garuda Contingent in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sjafrie was during the visit in Uganda accompanied by Director General of Defense Industry at the Defense Ministry Maj. Gen. Sonny Prasetyo, PT DI Marketing Director Budiman Saleh, Director for Africa at the Foreign Ministry Lasro Simbolon and Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya and Uganda Sunu Sumarno.

Kiyonga also praised Indonesia for its high economic growth.

Sjafrie said his visit to Uganda was aimed at continuing historical relationship between Indonesia and Uganda as Non-Aligned Movement member states.

"The main aim of our visit is to enhance defense cooperation," he said.

During the visit, Sjafrie invited his Uganda counterpart to visit Indonesia.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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