Jakarta, Feb. 6 -- The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL), Admiral Muhammad Ali, has stated that the navy is currently assessing the need to acquire an aircraft carrier to enhance non-combat military operations.

"It seems that we need an aircraft carrier for non-war military operations," he said at a press conference before attending a Navy leadership meeting at the headquarters of the TNI-AL in East Jakarta on Thursday.

He highlighted that the Navy has proposed the procurement of several types of essential defense equipment to the Ministry of Defense.

"We are planning to obtain various equipment over the next few years, including two frigate-class offshore patrol vessels from Italy," he informed.

He further said that two ...