DTN News - INDONESIA DEFENSE: East Kalimantan Border Defense Gets Boost
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Jakarta Globe(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 15, 2013: (Bandung) The East Kalimantan government has purchased a helicopter from Indonesian aircraft manufacturer Dirgantara Indonesia to monitor the province’s border with Malaysia, which is often used to move illegal logs from the country.
The Rp 120 billion ($12 million) Bell 412 EP helicopter is jointly produced by Bandung-based DI and US-based Bell Helicopter.
East Kalimantan Governor Awang Faroek Ishak said the helicopter will be used by the Indonesian military (TNI), which is tasked with patrolling the border. “This is a symbol of support to the TNI to help in protecting our border,” the governor said.
Awang also pledged to expand the runways of three airports allowing military planes to guard the province’s 1,038-kilometer border with Malaysia. The province will also allocate land for the construction of two military training centers, a Scorpion tank base, an infantry housing facility and other defense infrastructure.
Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the recently purchased helicopter will be used by a tactical squadron based in Berau district.
“This is an extraordinary helicopter. It has infra-red [cameras], radar and is able to lift heavy [military] equipment,” he said.
DI president director Budi Santoso said the helicopter can also be used for non-military purposes like disaster relief and search and rescue.
Maj. Gen. Dicky Usman, of the Mulawarman Military Command based in East Kalimantan, said his unit only had one helicopter, used to deliver supplies to military outposts along the border
*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Jakarta Globe
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