Old-school Ryamizard may hamper weaponry system reform

Military experts have raised concerns that upgrades to the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) weaponry system could be stalled under the leadership of new Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, due to his conservative approach and his tainted international reputation.

Indonesian Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi) analyst Rizal Darma Putra said that the utmost challenge faced by Ryamizard, a 64-year-old former Army chief, would be to give equal attention to the weaponry development of the three branches of the military.

“Ryamizard is known for his conservative views and his strong focus on Army development. He must abandon his old ways in order to implement the maritime-axis vision of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo,” Rizal said.

“As the defense minister, he must pay fair attention to and synchronize the weaponry development of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force,” he added.

Under the first stage of the strategic plan between 2010 and 2014 laid out by then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the country completed nearly 40 percent of the Minimum Essential Force (MEF)framework. The target was reached through financial backing of Rp 100 trillion (US$8.25 billion) in the five-year period, Yudhoyono said.

The funds have enabled the TNI to replace its obsolete armaments by procuring cutting-edge weaponry — such as the German-manufactured main battle tank (MBT) Leopard and Brazil’s EMB 314 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft.

During the period, state-owned manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia signed an agreement with South Korea on the joint production of KFX/IFX fighter jets, an essential step to advance Indonesia’s defense industry.

In the second phase of the strategic plan slated for 2015-2019, the country aims to advance national defense industries, enhance joint production with foreign suppliers and develop new weaponry.

Rizal suggested that Ryamizard may face obstacles in forging defense cooperation with some countries due to his poor human rights record, which includes allegedly instructing the massacre of separatists in Aceh and supporting the murder of Papuan leader Theys Eluay.

“He may have hostile relationships with Australia and the US. He must revamp his image in the hope of convincing many countries to sign defense deals with Indonesia,” he said.

Ryamizard was reportedly refused entry to the US following the alleged involvement of soldiers in the murder of two US citizens in Papua in 2002.

Ryamizard may have even more funds to manage as Jokowi, during his campaign, pledged to triple the budget for the TNI in a bid to modernize weaponry and improve the welfare of military personnel. This year’s Defense Ministry budget stood at Rp 76 trillion.

To help prevent misappropriation in weaponry procurement, Rizal urged Ryamizard to strengthen the ministry’s internal supervision, as well as join forces with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in auditing its expenditure.

“Ryamizard must not evade external supervision by arguing that those [procurements] are national secrets,” he said.

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS) Iis Gindarsah said that with a positive economic outlook in the foreseeable future, Ryamizard would be able to procure more key weapon systems, including multirole fighter jets, attack helicopters, missile-guided frigates and surveillance radars.

Ryamizard on Sunday reassured journalists that he would give proper attention to each branch of the military, and pledged to improve the quality of soldiers aside from modernizing weaponry systems.

“Our weaponry system must be up-to-date, but [we also need to develop] the personnel who operate those weapons. What is the point of buying numerous weapons but having a crew that is unable to use those professionally?” he asked.

  ★ thejakartapost