A tour of key Army training and sustainment sites across Victoria has helped prepare delegates from the Indonesian National Armed Forces Peacekeeping Center (PMPP TNI) to deal with a dilemma that has proven deadly for its personnel.

The visit from June 15 to 18 aimed to strengthen cooperation in protected mobility capability.

Part of the tour included a visit to Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) in Bandiana, where Deputy Commander PMPP TNI Brigadier General Dikdik Setiadi described their current dilemma as “Bagai makan buah simalakama” (like eating the Simalakama fruit).

The Indonesian proverb highlights a difficult choice, in this case, the need to continue supporting United Nations peacekeeping missions while also addressing capability gaps. These gaps include the need for more Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles and enhanced training for maintainers and drivers.

Indonesia’s Colonel Adm Inuversa Arca said the push for increased capability, and the subsequent visit to Australia, was accelerated by a recent tragedy in which two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed after an explosion struck a logistics convoy in southern Lebanon.

“We could have prevented that from happening if only we had the right arm of defence,” he said. 

“The Bushmaster offers a safer environment for the troops.”

'The more we can do here in Schoolhouse, the better all of us are prepared for operations in the future.'

The five-member delegation toured training and industry sites including the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME) at Bandiana, the Army School of Transport at Puckapunyal, Thales Australia’s facility in Bendigo and Victoria Barracks in Melbourne.

“We’re very happy with what we have seen,” Colonel Inuversa said

“Not only from the technical side, but from our discussion with senior officers there is a lot of room to gain cooperation, especially in the field of training soldiers that are going to be deployed to the region areas.”

Having seen 20 trainees graduate from ASEME’s Career and Advanced Training Wing on the Bushmaster Maintenance Course since 2022, PMPP TNI delegates are eager to further strengthen their relationship with ALTC.

Commandant ALTC Colonel Charmaine Benfield said the visit emphasised the value of continued engagement and partnership.

“It is fantastic that ALTC can continue our positive relationship in training the PMPP TNI staff,” she said.

Colonel Benfield said collaboration between the two forces had long been a feature of training and operations, with both nations benefiting from shared experience.

“The more we can do here in Schoolhouse, the better all of us are prepared for operations in the future,” Colonel Benfield said.

Indonesia remains one of the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions, providing valuable experience that complements Australia’s training strengths.