The commemoration of PT Dahana (Persero) ‘s 54th Anniversary was special because it was attended by the Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense Vice Marshal Donny Ermawan T, M.D.S. The anniversary event which was held on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at Dahana Subang Campus Auditorium.
President Director of PT DAHANA (Persero) Budi Antono in his remarks said that the Indonesian Ministry of Defense has greatly encouraged the advancement of the domestic defense industry. He hoped that in the future the support can sustain because the propellant industry is expected to continue to be done by the Domestic Defense Industry.
“In this occasion we would like to thank the Indonesian Ministry of Defense for giving Dahana the chance to participate in realizing the independence of the defense industry,” said Budi Antono.
Meanwhile in his remarks, the Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense emphasized that the independence of the defense industry is very important in building a strong, advanced and independent national defense system. A strong industry is expected to provide multiplier effects both on economic development and mastery of technology for the Indonesian nation. The independence of the defense industry is also expected to create a shift in understanding from defense spending to defense investment, as directed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Indonesia’s Armed Forces Anniversary addressed to the Ministry of Defense and the Defense Industry.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense continued that PT Dahana (Persero) is one of Indonesia’s strategic industries, especially in producing propellants to support the independence of the defense industry.
“Increasing the capability of the national defense industry is necessary to meet and support the needs for independence of the Indonesia’s Armed Forces Defense System (Alutsista). More rapid advances in science and technology will have a direct effect on increasing the capability of the defense industry required for defense and security purposes ”.
Propellant is a driving device for bullets or rockets, which is the main component of munitions for the needs of Small Caliber Munitions (MKK) and Large Caliber Munitions (MKB), as well as rocket fuel. Domestic needs have been imported from abroad, thus burdening the country’s foreign exchange and is prone to embargoes. For this reason, the development of the propellant industry has become one of the 7 National Superior Programs in order to realize the independence of the Defense Industry.
The development of the propellant industry is divided into two phases, namely Phase 1 Munition Propellant and Phase 2 Rocket Propellant. For phase 1, the Ministry of Defense has initiated by building a Nitroglycerin Factory, Acid Plant and supporting facilities for the Propellant Industry such as Electrical Transformers, Water Treatment Plants, Laboratories and Ballistic Test Facilities. Government support is required to continue the independence of the propellant industry by constructing a spherical powder factory so that Indonesia can be independent and serves as a vibrating effect in the regional area.
Steps that have been taken by DAHANA regarding propellant include the signing of a head of agreement with PT Pindad for propellant offtake and supporting facilities in Dahana which have been built by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. In addition, this is also supported by Dahana ‘s geographical position, which has a large area and is close to toll access, Kertajati airport, Patimban Port and sources of supporting raw materials.
The visit of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense is expected to further strengthen the Ministry of Defense’s commitment to empowerment of domestic industries to strengthen national defense. During his visit, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense also conducted a plant tour to DAHANA’s production facilities, one of which was the Nitroglycerin Factory built by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. (dhn / Kemhan)
