INDO DEFENSE EXPO SUPPORTS MARITIME AXIS VISION by Fardah

  Jakarta, Nov 11, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia has once again successfully organized the Indo Defense Expo at the Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran area, Jakarta, from November 2 to 5, 2016.

        The exhibition is one of Southeast Asia's biggest expo and conference on defense, aerospace and marine industry.

        This year, the military weaponry industry expo was themed 'Bolstering Defence Industry Cooperation: Achieving a Global Maritime Fulcrum and a Secure World,' to support the government's vision to make Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic country, a global maritime axis.

        Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, in his opening remarks, confirmed that the Seventh Indo Defense Expo was in line with the global maritime axis goal.

         Maritime defense has become vital for maintaining the safety of national and international shipping, according to Ryamizard.

        Ryamizard noted that the international exhibition opened up cooperation opportunities for the participants and visitors from various defense industrial companies and countries across the world.

         "Indo Defense Expo and Forum 2016 is expected to benefit not only the defense field but also the country's economy and tourism, including research and technology development," he stated. 
   He expressed hope that Indonesia would be able to build submarine and military aircraft through technology transfer cooperation with other countries.

         "In the future, we will also be able to build our own planes and submarines for national defense," the minister said.

        Officially opened by Vice President M Jusuf Kalla, the expo and forum activities comprised a defense industry product exhibition, a seminar on technology and industry, a technical product presentation, a gala dinner, courtesy calls, courtesy visits, an air show, a live demo and exhibition receptions.

           A seminar on maritime axis and defense industry was organized on November 3 on the sidelines of the expo. 
   Themed 'Achieving Comprehensive Maritime Surveillance and Security through Technology Innovation and Partnerships,' the meeting discussed maritime defense and issues related to progress in military technology.

       More than 25 thousand delegates and visitors visited the biggest defense, aerospace and marine industry gathering of the year.

        A total of 844 companies from 55 countries displayed their defense products at the exhibition. They included 573 foreign companies and 271 domestic companies, all engaged in the defense sector.

         As many as 13 state-owned companies from strategic industries participated in the expo to display products of innovation in three defense components, namely the Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force.

        The 13 state enterprises are PT Pindad, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT DAHANA, PT Industri Telekomunikasi Indonesia, PT Len Industri, PT Industri Nuklir Indonesia, PT PAL Indonesia, PT Dok & Perkapalan Kodja Bahari, PT Dok Perkapalan Surabaya, PT Industri Kapal Indonesia, PT Krakatau Steel, PT Barata Indonesia and PT Boma Bisma Indra.

        The companies promoted domestic defense products not inferior to those of other countries, and therefore managed to secure several business orders, Fajar Harry Sampurno, the state enterprises ministry's deputy for mining, strategic industries and media, said.

        PT Pindad displayed assault vehicles such as tank boat, Taktis Sanca and Komodo 4x4; armored vehicles such as Badak and Anoa Amphibi; and rifles such as SS2 V7, SS2 V4, SM2, Pistol G2 Premium, P3 and munitions.

         State aircraft producer PT Dirgantara Indonesia displayed its excellent products, including CN235-220, NC212i, and the latest products N219 and N245. It will also showcase an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called Wulung, which has received a certificate from the Indonesian Military Airworthiness Authority (IMAA), and products formed as a result of cooperation with Airbus Helicopter and Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., including H225M (EC725 Cougar), AS332C1e, AS565MBe, H125M (AS355) and Bell412EP.

         In addition, the Indonesian shipyard company PT PAL Indonesia also displayed advanced ships produced by PT PAL, such as Fast Missile Boat (KCR-60), Destroyer Escort (PKR-105), Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV-123), Medical Support Vessel (MSV), and Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS) that have been marketed to Asia and the Middle East.

        Foreign participants included Germany, India, Italy, Australia, South Korea, France, Turkey, US, UK, Russia, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Belarus, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Slovak.

         World-class companies that took part in the expo were Airbus, Yugoimport, Damen Schelde, SAAB, Rheinmetall , Lockheed Martin, Otokar, KAI, PT, Dirgantara Indonesia, PT, Pindad, Lundin, Sritex, SSE, Thales, Rocketsan, FNSS, Aselsan, UKTI, Denel, Avibras, UAC, Rossoboronexport, Norinco, ALIT and CETC.

        During the expo, a number of transactions in defense and security equipment were made and several MOUs were signed.

        Interactions between Indonesian defense industries and foreign counterparts were believed to lead to the strengthening of cooperation, relations and friendships between countries. ***1***
(f001/INE)
EDITED BY INE

(T.F001/A/BESSR/F. Assegaf) 11-11-2016 14:01:36