Jakarta – According to defense analyst Beni Sukadis, the government’s attempts to update Indonesia’s defense equipment are on the right track, as war threats can arise at any time.
“Strengthening defense must be done during quiet times in order to anticipate war threats that can arise at any time,” he said in a written statement received here on Sunday.
He stated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, has devolved into an open conflict.
He voiced his thoughts as China awaits the United States’ (US) response to the Ukraine-Russia crisis, as well as the superpower’s probable engagement in the conflict.
“If (the US) is directly involved, it will break its concentration,” he added, “while China can take advantage of the opportunity to invade Taiwan when the US is caught off guard.”
According to Sukadis, the invasion of Ukraine demonstrated that conflict and war might erupt at any time in any country.
As a result, Sukadis stated that Indonesia’s recent efforts to purchase defensive equipment were seen as a positive step.
Previously, the Indonesian government planned to update the defense equipment system by purchasing Dassault Rafale fighter jets, Scorpene submarines, Airbus A400M aircraft, and the Arrowhead frigate vessel.
On February 10, 2022, Indonesia officially acquired six Dassault Rafale combat planes from Dassault Aviation in France. The six aircraft were purchased when the Defense Ministry, represented by the Head of the Defense Facilities Agency Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, and a representative of Dassault Aviation signed a contract in Jakarta.
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and French Defense Minister Florence Farly were also in attendance and observed the contract’s signing.
Source: Antara
