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Indonesia Seeks Defense Industry Cooperation with PRC
Tuesday, 26 April, 2005 | 19:48 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian government is seeking to cooperate with the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the defense industry.

The cooperation will be in the form of supplying technical support from China to four defense equipment strategic industries in Indonesia.

The four strategic industries in question are PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT Dahana, PT Pal and PT Pindan.
“We’re waiting for the result of the review,” said Indonesian defense minister Juwono Sudarsono after meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Chinese President Hu Jintao at the State Palace on Monday (25/04).

Within the next three months, Sudarsono, together with Indonesian Minister of Industry Andung Nitimiharja and Indonesian Minister for Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman, will visit Beijing.

“Our visit is aimed at reviewing the possibility for cooperation in the defense industry related to the capacity of China in giving us facilities and establishing cooperation with us,” said Sudarsono.

Sudarsono said that the technical support given by People’s Republic of China in terms of domestic defense industries came in form of the establishment of light weapons for Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Despite establishing cooperation with China, Indonesia will continue establishing relationship with all countries, including the USA.

“If they do not disturb us with matters like human rights, we will continue opening relationships with all countries,” said Sudarsono.

In addition to these four defense industries, Sudarsono said that Indonesian President Yudhoyono has requested the Indonesian defense ministry follow up as regards cooperation with all industries related to defense equipment.

This is aimed at obtaining independence in terms of weapon systems establishment as required by the TNI.
(Dimas Adityo-Tempo News Room)