Jakarta – Indonesia showcased its military strength, which is mainly powered by the state-owned arms maker Pindad, at the recent 80th anniversary celebrations of the country's armed forces TNI.
The military deployed 133,000 personnel and some 1,047 defense equipment at the highly anticipated parade in Jakarta over the weekend. This marked the biggest TNI anniversary celebrations in recent years.
During the military parade, President Prabowo Subianto inspected the troops on Pindad's Maung MV3 Irup. This is a military vehicle – a Tangguh variant – that has been modified for ceremonial purposes. It is an open-body vehicle that comes with a flat platform, handrails, and a ladder at the rear.
TNI also had spectacular displays, ranging from fighter jet flyovers, special operations parachutes, parachutes, building raids, joint ground operations, and troop parades using SS1, SS2, and SS3-M1 weapons manufactured by Pindad. The SS3-M1 is Pindad's latest rifle, an upgrade from the SS1 and SS2, and is suitable for high-accuracy operations. Its Picatinny rail and M-Lok system on the handguard allows for the installation of additional accessories and optics, providing high flexibility in the field of operations. For increased stability, the SS3-M1 can be equipped with a vertical grip, while the adjustable telescopic stock makes this rifle ergonomic for various combat conditions.
Pindad also brought out a wide range of military vehicles, namely the Harimau medium tank, the Badak 6x6, the Anoa 2 6x6, the Komodo 4x4, and the Maung MV3 operational vehicle. The Harimau is armed with a 105mm cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun. It comes with a laser warning system and a battle management system. The Badak boasts a 90mm cannon and a 7.62mm SM for maximum firepower. The combat vehicle also features bulletproof armor and a Level 3 armor protection system. The Anoa and Komodo variants – battle-proven in both domestic and international missions (including the UN) – boast superior mobility, carrying capacity, and high cruising range, according to Pindad.
During the televised speech, Prabowo said he had high hopes for Indonesia's military.
"TNI is born from the Indonesian people, and is the shield of our country. It is the backbone of our defense that safeguards our sovereignty. ... TNI must be ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of the Indonesian people," Prabowo said.
Pindad's president director Sigit P Santosa also said that the company would continue to support national defense.
"We are proud to have showcased our products, ranging from military, operational, and tactical vehicles to various types of weapons. We are committed to strengthening the armed forces through our arms and continuous technological innovations," Sigit said.