Indonesia Accepts Australian Tactical Vehicle Donation

With the approval of House Commission I, Indonesia has accepted 15 tactical vehicles for its peacekeeping mission from Australia. The donation is believed to be part of Australia’s mission to ease Indonesia’s resistance.

KURNIA YUNITA RAHAYU

Working meeting of Commission I of the DPR with Deputy Minister of Defense M Herindra, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono, and representatives of the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force, at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday (3/4/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I has approved an offer from the Australian government to donate 15 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles. Some of the vehicles will be used by the Peacekeeping Mission Center (PMPP) of the Indonesian Military (TNI) to increase its capacity in the world peacekeeping operational task force.

Nevertheless, the TNI was reminded of the need to prioritize the use of domestically produced tactical vehicles.

The approval for Australia’s offer to donate defense and security equipment was issued at a working meeting of House Commission I presided over by House Commission I deputy chairman Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, at the legislative complex in Jakarta on Monday (3/4/2023). Others who attended the Commission I meeting included Deputy Defense Minister M. Herindra, TNI commander Adm. Yudo Margono and the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Eight of the nine factions in House Commission I approved the Australian government’s offer to donate 15 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles (BPMV) to the TNI Peacekeeping Mission Center (PMPP-TNI). According to the plan, some of the tactical vehicles will be used to enhance the capacity of personnel in the world peacekeeping operational task force.

Also read:

> The Urgency of Defense

> The Alutsista We Desire

M. Herindra explained that the Defense Ministry had received a letter from the Australian government on the donation last year. The 15 Bushmaster vehicles to be donated, along with supporting equipment, were refurbished or used but in good condition, and were claimed to be usable up to the next 20 years.

The Bushmaster vehicles, said Herindra, were suited for use in deserts and capable of carrying up to eight fully armed soldiers. The lower part of the tactical vehicles was designed to minimize the impacts of land mines. The vehicles also had anti-explosion and antiballistic capacity for certain explosives and calibers.

The Australian government will also provide training during the period from 22 May to 7 July 2023.

Of the 15 Bushmaster units, 13 are troop carriers, one is a command variant and one is an ambulance variant. Aside from the vehicles, the planned donation also includes spare parts with a six-month guarantee. The donor is also bearing the delivery costs from Australia to the TNI Headquarters in Jakarta.

“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.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO (KUM)

Anoa tactical vehicle and other tactical vehicles belonging to the TNI on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jakarta, Monday (4/10/2021). A total of 112 main weapons system tools were exhibited to the public as a series of commemorations for the 76th anniversary of the TNI.

Based on a study by the Defense Ministry, this donation benefits Indonesia technically because the vehicles are in good condition and ready to use, so they 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.

“The acceptance of this donation has no effect on the free and active foreign policy of Indonesia and [it will] support world peacekeeping operation,” said Herindra.

In economic terms, he added, the vehicles’ donation could reduce budget allocations for maintenance of the same type of vehicles.

Also read:

> Quality Weaponry Weighs on Soldiers

> Weapons System Modernization needs Consistency

Adm. Yudo Margono said that as a prospective user, the TNI noted that accepting the donation could heighten the operational readiness of the PMPP-TNI in supporting global peacekeeping missions. This move would also support bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia. In addition, he agreed with the consideration of budgetary savings in maintaining the PMPP-TNI’s tactical vehicles over the next three to five years.

House Commission I member Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi, from the Golkar Party Faction, held the view that this donation would be not only strategically, economically and politically beneficial. The tactical vehicles were also expected to serve later as an asset to be studied for domestic development, as one of Indonesia’s defense companies had produced a Bushmaster prototype.

“We propose that this donation be also shared with PT Pindad for dismantling [it], so that our local prototype developed by PT Pindad can be compared with a genuine Bushmaster product,” he said.

Geopolitically related

Anton Aliabbas, a lecturer at Paramadina Graduate School of Diplomacy, described the donation of 15 tactical Bushmaster vehicles as inseparable from regional geopolitical dynamics, especially related to AUKUS, the trilateral defense pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. He also hinted that Australia’s main interest behind this donation was to ease Indonesia’s resistance to AUKUS.

Notwithstanding, the donation would obviously enhance the TNI’s defense and security equipment. Qualitatively, Bushmaster vehicles were superior in terms of protection and convenience for the personnel aboard. Moreover, the TNI also possessed tactical vehicles.

This article was translated by Aris Prawira.