Indonesian Air Force to Deploy Squadron of Fighter Jets in Biak

Indonesian Air Force Sukhoi fighter pilots and crew walk across the tarmac after training for an upcoming military exercise at Hang Nadim Airport, Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia

Biak, Papua, MINA – The Indonesian Air Force plans to deploy a squadron of fighter jets in the Manuhua Airbase in Biak Numfor district, Papua province.

“Biak will have a squadron of fighter jets. The plan has been incorporated to the TNI (National Defense Forces) chief’s program.

The program has been notified to Manuhua Airbase,” Antara News quoted Commander of the Manuhua Air Force Base, Colonel Fajar Adriyanto, as saying after a get-together with religious figures and journalists at Gunadi Angkasa building on Tuesday.

The presence of fighter jets at the airbase is expected to strengthen state security defense particularly in the Indonesian eastern provinces of Papua and West Papua, he said.

He said the Air Force has made preparations including facilities and infrastructures for the operation of the squadron of fighter jets.

“The Manuhua Air Force Base in Biak has been equipped with apron facility for fighter jets. All the facilities can be used now,” he said.

He expressed hope that the squadron of fighter jets, coupled with Air Force personnel including those from Manuhua airbase, Air Force Special Troops of Command Battalion No 464 and Radar Unit No 242 will strengthen security and surveillance of air space in Papua and West Papua provinces. (T/RS5/RS!)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

Kashmir