Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on the Indonesian Military (TNI) to always remain active in tackling various threats.
"I call for TNI's readiness in facing a wider range of threats, such as violations of sovereignty, sea natural resources' theft, radicalism, terrorism, cyber threats, and biological threats, including natural disasters," the head of state noted in a ceremony to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the TNI at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta on Tuesday.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, TNI Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Andika Perkasa, Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Admiral Yudo Margono, Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, and other officials.
"In facing a wider range of threats, defense transformation must continue," he affirmed.
The aim is to lay down the foundation for modern defense capabilities relevant to the latest developments in military technology.
As a result, the TNI can transform into an Indonesian defense force that is able to play a role in the strategic regional and global environment, he affirmed.
The head of state noted that strengthening the strategic culture of TNI soldiers and officers must remain the main foundation of defense transformation.
Modernization of defense and security must be accompanied by breakthroughs in economic management and defense investment, he affirmed.
"Once again, Happy Anniversary to the Indonesian Military," the President said.
Apart from the ceremony, eight helicopters from the Indonesian Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a "call sign" "Trimatra flight," will fly across Merdeka Palace carrying the Indonesian flag and TNI emblem flag.
The eight helicopters are divided into two flight groups. The first group of four helicopters comprises a NAS-332 Super Puma Helicopter of Air Squadron 6 of the Atang Sendjaja Airbase carrying the Indonesian Flag and three AH-64 E Apache Squadron-11/Assault Helicopters.
The second group of four helicopters comprises the Helicopter EC-725 Caracal of Air Squadron 8 of the Atang Sendjaja Air Base carrying the TNI Trimatra flag and three AS565 MBe Panther Helicopters of Air Squadron 400 Wing II.
Meanwhile, the 18 Indonesian Air Force aircraft comprise six T-50i Golden Eagle jet fighters of Air Squadron 15 and six F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters of the Air Squadron 3.
Six SU-27/30 jet fighters of Air Squadron 14 and 11 will carry out flying formation so-called the arrowhead and maneuver so-called the bomb burst above the Merdeka Palace.
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