REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- State-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad has received an order from the government for 50 armored vehicles to strengthen its main armament system, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said.
"With approval from the Defense Minister (Ryamizard Ryacudu), we will order 50 units if the vehicle passes the test," he said here on Wednesday.
The government is in the process of negotiating with PT Pindad regarding the purchase price of the armored vehicle called Badak.
He said once these vehicles are received, the government is planning to upgrade its weapons in the interest of state defense.
"We are still negotiating the price. We have agreed to buy 50 units in the first stage. The next stage will be upgrading of all weapons which are still in good condition," he said.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla, accompanied by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Industry Minister Saleh Husin, was in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung to visit the factories owned by state-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad and state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia.
During the visit, the vice president reached an agreement for purchase of several kinds of weapons to strengthen the country's military armament system.