Budget for Next Year's Defence Equipment Prepared, Purbaya Confirms

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has ensured that the government has prepared a budget for the procurement of main defence systems (alutsista) for next year. According to him, the budget for strengthening defence is already included in the state budget (APBN) planning and involves a substantial amount. However, he declined to disclose the specific figures as they pertain to national defence strategies.

Purbaya stated that strengthening the defence budget is necessary to maintain Indonesia’s readiness amidst a global situation filled with uncertainty. He also aligned his views with President Prabowo Subianto regarding the importance of strengthening national defence capabilities as an anticipatory measure.

“There is a budget for next year, and for the year after that; next year’s budget is already allocated and is quite large. In the midst of uncertainty like we are facing now, what the President said is correct: we must maintain our defence capabilities,” he said.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto handed over several new defence systems to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Monday morning. The equipment included six Dassault Rafale fighter jets, one Airbus A400M Atlas MRTT, four Dassault Falcon 8X aircraft, GCI GM403 radar, as well as Meteor Missile and Smart Weapon Hammer systems.

In his speech, Prabowo emphasised that strengthening defence equipment is a vital part of enhancing Indonesia’s deterrent capabilities. “We must continue to increase our defence strength as a deterrent. We have no interests other than protecting our own territory,” Prabowo stated.