Need for strong

Need for strong
Navy & Air Force

From Forum Keadilan

Indonesia's sovereignty should primarily be measured in terms
of its ability to maintain the country's territorial land, sea
and airspace. The recent maneuvers by U.S. F-18 Hornets above
Bawean waters were only one such instance of violation to come to
light. Bawean, in East Java, is already liable to intrusion, let
alone remote areas near territorial borders.

Two important things have caused the erosion of sovereignty.
First, the state no longer considers sovereignty a matter of
national dignity. Second, the state has, for a long time, ignored
the strengthening of its Navy and Air Force. With the present air
and sea fleets at the disposal of the Indonesian Military (TNI),
we are not certain of victory in the event of an attack, even by
a member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Therefore, if we wish to remain sovereign in the country, as a
maritime state vulnerable to intrusion, our air and sea defense
forces must be strong. So, why should we make such a fuss about
the purchase of jet fighters, which are obviously for the defense
of sovereignty? It means that the procurement of war planes by
the TNI is legitimate, even if they come from Russia.

RIZA RAHARDJO
Jakarta