REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BIAK -- National Air Defense Command (Kohanudnas) stated that they needed more jet fighters to pursue plane violating Indonesian airspace. 

"Airbases in Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Pontianak and Makassar need at least three jet fighters," Air Vice Marshall Hadiyan Suminta Atmadja said in Biak on Monday, November 17.

Indonesian airspace bordering with Australia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Malaysia is prone to illegal plane. Until November 2014, there are five airspace violations. Suminta Atmadja said he had processed the violation to law. "Every violation will be processed based on law," he said.

The cases of airspace violation happened in Medan, Pontianak, Manado and two cases in Kupang. He expects every personnel to beef up surveillance to protect national airspace.

Head of Information Department at Air Force Hadi Tjahjono said Air Force only had eight squadrons and it isn't enough to protect Indonesia. "We will build three more squadrons to secure East Indonesia," he said.

The additional squadrons will be put in the next Strategic Plan (Renstra). The plan also includes the addition of military radar. Currently, Air Force has 24 military radars. They plan to increase the number up to 32 by 2019.

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