Procurement of Military Equipment Does Not Guarantee TNI Operational Readiness
The procurement of Indonesian defence equipment is still raising questions about operational readiness. In a discussion held by Marapi Consulting & Advisory on 11 May 2026, several speakers stated that the modernisation of defence equipment has not been fully accompanied by adequate weaponry systems, logistics and maintenance.
The former Head of the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Rear Admiral TNI (ret.) Desi Albert Mamahit, said that the procurement of defence equipment has so far been based on strategic defence policies and predictions of future threats. According to him, this process also takes into account developments in military technology as well as the country’s budgetary capabilities.
Desi mentioned that fiscal limitations mean that procurement is carried out gradually. He said that the purchase of main platforms is prioritised before fulfilling other needs such as weaponry systems and operational support. “When we buy a platform, we also think about its weaponry system,” he said in a press release quoted on Sunday, 17 May 2026.
However, this approach is considered to pose risks to military operational readiness. The Daily Chairman of the National Association of Private Defence Industries (Pinhantanas), Major General TNI (ret.) Jan Pieter Ate, said that combat readiness standards depend not only on platforms but also on weapon systems, trained personnel and integrated logistics support.
According to Jan Pieter, the procurement of defence equipment should not only follow government budget allocations. He believes that military operational needs should be the main basis for determining the type of defence equipment purchased and the preparedness of its supporting systems. “The spirit of procuring defence equipment is to ensure operational readiness,” he said.
Military observer and Defence Consultant at Marapi Consulting & Advisory, Alman Helvas Ali, highlighted the issue of maintenance budgets, which are often left behind compared to the arrival of new defence equipment. This situation means that maintenance budgets for old equipment are often diverted so that new defence equipment can still operate.
Alman cited the example of a PPA warship which has not yet been equipped with MBDA-made missiles due to global production queues following the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. In addition, the procurement contract is said not to include long-term spare parts support, so dependence on manufacturers remains high.
He believes that the government needs to prepare a long-term policy to strengthen the domestic defence industry, especially in terms of maintenance and care of defence equipment. “There is no guarantee that when we receive new defence equipment, there will be a budget for maintenance and spare parts in the following year,” he said.