REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Russia handed over 37 amphibious tanks to Indonesian Navy. Indonesian Minister of Defence Purnomo Yusgiantoro received the tanks at Karang Tekok Marine Combat Training Center, Situbondo, East Java, on Monday.

Army chief Gen Moeldoko, Navy chief Admiral Marsetio, Marine Corps Commandant Maj Gen A Faridz Washington and Russian Embassy officials were also present during the ceremony. BMP-3F vehicles were produced by weapon manufacturer, Kurganmashzavod, after Ministries of Defense from both countries signed purchasing agreement. Russia handed 17 BMP-3F tanks on December 11, 2011.

"We must modernize our weapons, including tanks," Army chief Gen Moeldoko said on Monday.

Moeldoko said that the adequate defense equipment was part of self esteem building for soldiers. Using old weapons would only degrade their fighting spirit. 

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