Eight of nine factions in Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) have approved an offer from the Australian government to donate 15 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles for the Indonesian Army (TNI) Peacekeeping Mission Center (PMPP). The approval was delivered at a work meeting of House Commision I, on Monday (3/4).
Several of the tactical vehicles will be used to increase the TNI capacity in the world peacekeeping operations task force.
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Defense M. Herindra, said that the letter concerning the offer from the Australian government was received last year.
The donation also includes spare parts with a six-month guarantee and shipping costs from Australia to TNI Headquarters in Jakarta. The refurbished vehicles were claimed to be usable for the next 20 years.
“The Australian government will also provide training during the period from 22 May to 7 July 2023. Driver training will be provided to 25 TNI soldiers, maintenance for 15 TNI soldiers, and communication for 10 TNI soldiers,” said Herindra, on Monday (3/4).
Brings advantages to Indonesia
Research by the Defense Ministry shows this donation technically benefits Indonesia because the vehicles are in good condition and ready to use, so it will increase effectiveness and efficiency in training and operations.
Strategically, the donation will not cause any dependence of Indonesia on Australia in the future, as the deal comes with no strings, as Herindra said.
In economic terms, Herindra added that the vehicles’ donation could reduce budget allocations for the maintenance of the same type of vehicles.
On the same occasion, Adm. Yugo Margono said that as a prospective user, the TNI noted that accepting the donation could heighten the operational readiness of the PMPP in supporting global peacekeeping missions, as well as support bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia.
Margono also acknowledged the consideration of budgetary savings in maintaining the PMPP’s tactical vehicles over the next three to five years.
Commission I member from the Golkar Party faction, Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi, added that this donation would be not only strategically, economically, and politically beneficial, but also expected as an asset to be studied for domestic development because Indonesia’s defense company PT Pindad had previously produced a Bushmaster prototype.
