TNI replaces British tanks in Aceh

TNI replaces British tanks in Aceh

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Military (TNI) on Monday shipped 14 locally made armored personnel carriers (APCs) to Aceh to replace 28 British-made Scorpion tanks currently used in its offensive against rebels there.

The 14 APCs were the first shipment of 40 that were manufactured by the Army Industrial Affairs Center (Pindad) to replace the Scorpion tanks, whose use in the military operation in Aceh has sparked protests, particularly from rights groups.

"We have tested the APCs, and decided they have the same capacity as the Scorpions," said TNI spokesman Col. D.J. Nachrowi while witnessing the dispatch of the armored personnel carriers.

The 14 APCs shipped to Aceh on Monday were equipped with either 44 mm Automatic Grenade Launchers or 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Guns, said Nachrowi. Each APC can carry 13 personnel.

Military sales agreements between Britain and Indonesia, stipulate that the hardware should only be used for "defensive" purposes. -- Antara