President Prabowo Subianto Hands Over Rafale Aircraft and Other Defense Systems to Strengthen National Defense

President Prabowo Subianto Monday (5/18) is present at the handover of strategic Primary Weaponry Defense System (alutsista) to the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, in Jakarta. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto underscored that the handover of the Primary Weaponry Defense System (alutsista) marks an important milestone in safeguarding national sovereignty.

The President delivered the statement after handing over six Rafale MRCA aircrafts, four Falcon 8X aircrafts, one Airbus A400M MRTT aircraft, one Meteor missile, six Hammer smart weapons, and one GCI GM403 radar at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta, Monday (5/18).

“I believe that this marks an important milestone in strengthening our national defense capabilities,” the President said.

He also stated that Indonesia’s defense must continue to be strengthened as a deterrent to safeguard the nation’s interests and expressed belief that, amid current global uncertainty, every country must have adequate defense forces.

“We must continue to strengthen our defense forces as a deterrent. We have no other intention but to safeguard our own territory,” he added.

The Head of State further stated that a strong defense is a prerequisite for Indonesia’s ability to confront various global challenges while safeguarding its strategic national interests.

“But we see the global situation. Geopolitics is full of uncertainty, and we know that defense is a primary requirement for stability and a guarantee of our sovereignty,” he said.

In addition, the President stated that the Government will continue to develop its defense forces in a gradual and sustainable manner.

He also emphasized that this strengthening will cover all defense domain, including land, sea, and air, to ensure comprehensive protection of the nation’s sovereignty.

“In the future, we will continue to build our strength. We want to secure our airspace, sea, and of course, our land,” he concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/EP)