
The Indonesian government will increase the budget for defense from the current level of 0.8 percent of the state budget to 1.5 percent, Defense Minister Ryamizard Rayacudu said here Thursday.
Minister Raymizard stressed that the move aims to change the slow pace of the development of the country's weaponry in recent years, in part due to economic crisis, to put it on a par with other ASEAN countries.
The 0.8 percent of the state budget amount is equal to 83 trillion rupiah (some 6.815 billion U.S. dollars), according to the ministry.
Minister Raymizard said the improvement of Indonesian weaponry quality has to rely much on local contents.
"We need a self reliance on weaponry. We do not rely on other countries," he said at a defense seminar here.
President Joko Widodo has disclosed that he will continue the modernization of weaponry in the country which has been undertaken by former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
According to Yudhoyono, the modernization drive targets to achieve what he called "a minimum essential force," not aiming to trigger an arm race in the region. Terrorism, human trafficking, insurgency and drug smuggling are among the main challenges facing Indonesian armed forces.
GMT 15:13 2018 Saturday ,20 January
US 'erred' in supporting WTO membership for China, RussiaGMT 17:22 2018 Thursday ,18 January
US industrial output in 2017 posts biggest gain since 2010GMT 17:12 2018 Thursday ,18 January
No more bonuses for Carillion bosses after UK collapseGMT 17:20 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
EU to remove Panama, South Korea from tax haven blacklistGMT 17:16 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
Citigroup reports steep Q4 losses tied to US tax reformGMT 17:11 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
Pressure rises on British govt over Carillion collapseGMT 17:52 2018 Monday ,15 January
Iran jetliner deal could take longer to complete, Airbus saysGMT 17:44 2018 Monday ,15 January
EU to remove Panama, Korea, UAE, 5 others from tax haven blacklist
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor