The Indonesian and Serbian defense ministers have signed a MoU in the field of defense.
This is a continuation of the agreement signed in 2005. Some items which had been revised were approved and re-signed, said Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro yesterday in Jakarta.
Purnomo said the agreement signed with Minister Dragan Sutanovac covered logistical support, defense, education and military training. Both countries will exchange intelligence information, experience and consultation as well as training and education.
Other important points include the procurement of primary defense including technology and technical support in the defense industry.
Our primary defense equipment is 13 years behind. This will be the second chapter of reforms, said Purnomo. He added the quality of Serbian technology and the defense industry was of international and NATO standards. Ammunition producer countries such as Belgium, Spain and Malaysia, for example, buy their components from Serbia.
Purnomo said that Serbia would also market the weapons produced by PT Pindad, including in ASEAN. They will meet with Pindads management, he added. Serbia is offering scholarships for post-graduate and doctorate degrees in defense education as well as military expert exchange.
Minister Dragan Sutanovac said that since the military collaboration with the Soviet Union was initiated in 1946, relations with Indonesia had been going well. We believe both countries relations will be better, he said, adding that Serbia would also focus on developing military hospitals as the country has one of the best military hospitals in the world. We want to cooperate in the development of the military health industry,he claimed.
Source: tempointeractive.com
