JAKARTA - Indonesia plans to produce radar as it still imports the equipment from abroad, Seputar Indonesia quoted a minister as saying on Monday.

Minister for Research and Technology Suharna Surapranata said that to materialize the goal, the government will try to develop the radar technology.

Besides, he said, Indonesia needs synergy between his ministry, the Indonesian Science Institute, the Defense Ministry, the Transportation Ministry, colleges and private sector.

According to him, the radar technology is not only useful for defense but also for sea, air and land transportation as well as the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.

He said that the government is very serious in its commitment to developing defense industry, including producing radar, as is marked by a quite big fund for research.

In fact, he said, the government has pledged to provide incentives to companies involved in relevant research and production.