France to boost military
ties with RI through naval
mission
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Wed, June 03 2015, 10:20 PM
Naval interaction: Two French vessels containing cadets from the French Naval Academy and other countries arrive in Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, on Wednesday, as a part of France’s mission to boost military ties with Indonesia. (Courtesy of the French Embassy)
World News
Indonesia observed on Wednesday the arrival of two French vessels, containing cadets from the French Naval Academy and other countries, at Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta as a part of its mission to boost military ties with Indonesia.
French Ambassador to Indonesia Corinne Breuzé said it began with the strategic partnership agreement between France and Indonesia in 2011, which included military cooperation.
"Apart from support for the development of the strategic industry such as defense and equipment in the partnership, we also want to establish cooperation between the military forces," ambassador Breuzé told reporters during the visit to the ship on Wednesday.
The visit was part of the Jeanne D'arc Mission, where trained officers from the academy carried out their first operational deployment in the Indian Ocean, beyond the South China Sea, and also the Sea of Japan.
The mission, with the helicopter carrier LHD Dixmude and frigate LSF Aconit ships, will last until July this year. It has passed through Jordan, Djibouti, Singapore, China and Japan before Indonesia.
The commanding officer of LHD Dixmude ship, Captain Pierre de Briançon, also stated the importance of Indonesia to France.
"We chose Indonesia as Indonesia is an important partner for France in Southeast Asia. We also want to maintain the freedom of the sea traffic," Briançon said.
The visit also occurred amid rising tensions in the South China Sea between China and its neighboring countries over territorial claims. (fsu)(+++)
- See more at:
France to boost military ties with RI through naval mission | The Jakarta Post
Indonesian drone ready for military operations
Rabu, 20 Mei 2015 08:15 WIB | 3.285 Views
OS-Wifanusa. (twitter)
Purawakarta (ANTARA News) - Drones, which are unmanned aerial vehicles, manufactured by the Indonesia Maritime Institute are ready to be operated in border regions to carry out area surveillance missions.
A drone named OS-Wifanusa was successfully operated in a flight testing session in Waduk Jatiluhur, Purwakarta district, West Java province.
"If the government acknowledges our drone, we are ready to produce it in large numbers," Executive Director of the Indonesia Maritime Institute Dr. Y Paonganan said.
He affirmed that the drone made originally in Indonesia is no less advanced than the ones manufactured in other industrial countries.
The unmanned aircraft produced in Indonesia was able to take off and land on a river, lake, sea and land.
The drone has a 2-stroke engine with a capacity of 170 CC and is able to lift loads weighing 60 to 70 kilograms.
"To take off in water, the aircraft only requires a distance of some 50 meters. As for taking off from land, it only needs a runaway about 30 to 40 meters long," Paonganan stated.
He further noted that research prior to manufacturing the unmanned aircraft had been carried out for about two years.
OS-Wifanusa has the ability to fly for five hours for a distance of 100 kilometers or 200 kilometers round trip running on Pertamax type gasoline.
Paonganan believes that the unmanned aircraft can be used by the government for military needs, especially to support their area surveillance missions.
"There are two functions of the drone---aerial photography and area monitoring. In addition, this equipment can also be used as spy planes by the military," Paonganan pointed out.
If the government intends to use the drone and it is required to meet military specifications, the Indonesia Maritime Institute is ready to meet the standards, he added.
(Uu.KR-LWA/INE/KR-BSR/B003)
Indonesian drone ready for military operations - ANTARA News