The Indonesian Military (TNI) and five state-run universities have agreed to cooperate in human resources development, science and technology, aimed at propping up the country's defense industry.
"This cooperation is expected to make Indonesia self-sufficient in its defense industry," Joko Santoso, rector of Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), was quoted Thursday by English daily The Jakarta Post as saying.
ITB along with four other universities -- the University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Hasanuddin University (Unhas) and Surabaya's 10 Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) -- signed the agreement with the military here Wednesday.
On behalf of the five universities, Joko Santoso said the five universities would conduct research on science and technology to help the defense industry produce weapons needed by all branches of the military.
"We must be able to produce certain kinds of weapons precisely needed by the military to safeguard the vast territory and protect all the people."
Military Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto said TNI and the universities would enhance cooperation with strategic state-owned industries, including arms maker PT Pindad, shipbuilder PT PAL, aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia and electronics firm PT LEN to empower the defense industry.
He said the move would also lessen dependence on foreign weapons.
Indonesia has produced a number of weapons based on licenses from foreign manufacturers. PT Pindad produces SS-1 and SS-2 assault rifles developed from Belgian FN.
PT Dirgantara Indonesia produces the NSA-332 Super Puma helicopter from Eurocopter as well as the NC-212 Aviocar medium transport airplane from EADS CASA.
PT PAL is indigenously producing the FPB-57 fast patrol boat.
Source: Xinhua
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