In order to increase security in the national air territories, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Indonesian National Air Force builds cooperation on radar manufacture. They are planning to produce as many as 12 radars needed by the Air Force to be made by UGM researchers. “All this while, the Indonesian Air Force only has 20 radars while, ideally, we require 32 radars,” said Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Marshall Hadi Tjahyanto after signing the cooperation with UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng. at Grha Sabha Pramana UGM on Monday (7/8). The signing of the cooperation was witnessed by Head of UGM Alumni Association, Ganjar Pranowo, and Secretary General of the Association, Ari Dwipayana.
According to Hadi Tjahyanto, the cooperation with UGM is expected to increase the development of radar technology in Indonesia. Moreover, he also hopes the Indonesian Air Force staff who are in the middle of taking their master and doctoral degrees in UGM will also be involved in the radar development. “We have 13 master and doctoral students in here,” said Hadi Tjahyanto.
In the occasion, Hadi Tjahyanto also gave information regarding the installment of monitoring radar by the Indonesian Air Force at Congot Beach, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta last week. The installment was purposely done to change the old radar which was made in 1962. “The new radar can cover Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Semarang areas as well as encourage the establishment of the new airport in Kulonprogo,” he added.
The UGM Rector gave a positive response to the cooperation with the Indonesian Air Force on the radar making. According to the Rector, UGM always encourages the development of defense system main equipment and the monitoring of Indonesian territorial boundaries both in the sea, air, and land. “We have to strengthen our defense system main equipment by not relying on foreign technology,” said Panut.
According to Panut, the Indonesian Air Force military equipment which is radar, aircraft monitoring, and intelligence have to be added to strengthen the air security in Indonesia. Panut said every developed country has a strong air force, more advanced economy, and better technology mastery. “I think this cooperation can increase our strength in securing and encouraging the progress of this nation,” he added.