TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian National Army had recently received a set of new defense equipment, which consists of two Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, and two Marder medium tanks from Germany.

The Army Chief of Staff General Budiman confirmed the tanks' delivery news and said that the it arrived in Tanjung Priok, yesterday, September 22. The tanks are currently being painted and prepared to be sent for active duty.

General Budiman mentioned that the new tanks will help to reinforce the Indonesian Cavalry Division. He added that out of the total 156 tanks purchased by the army, all have been completed and have been operational.

Tempo reported that the tanks arrived sooner than the initial schedule set for October 2013. The four new tank units are a part of the US$ 280 million tank purchase agreement signed by the government last year.

INDRA WIJAYA