Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto stated that several countries respected Indonesia and perceived the country as a role model, as they were keen to intensify cooperation with Indonesia in military training and defense industry development.
"Several countries have asked to increase defense cooperation with us," Subianto stated after visiting President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Monday.
He affirmed that several countries, especially from the African continent, have proposed to cooperate with Indonesia in military training.
Moreover, several countries are keen to send their officers and non-commissioned officers to join military training in Indonesia, he remarked.
"They also asked us to go to their country to train their troops. I think this shows that Indonesia continues to be respected and has become a role model for many countries, especially African countries," the minister noted.
Moreover, during his meeting with the president on Monday, Subianto also reported on developments in the Indonesian defense industry.
He explained that State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) had been able to increase production for CN-235 aircraft to eight per year, from earlier two to three aircraft annually.
"After conducting revitalization and reformulation of work procedures, they were able to produce eight CN-235, from the previous two to three aircraft a year. This achievement is very good," he remarked.
He highlighted that requests from other countries to procure CN-235 aircraft also increased to 100 aircraft, most of which came from countries in Africa and Latin America.
"This certainly encourages our defense industry to be more efficient, productive, innovative, and confident in collaborating with any sector that can bring added value to us," Subianto stated.
He said that President Jokowi was satisfied and content with the development of the Indonesian defense industry.
"He was very happy and satisfied," the minister stated.
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