During the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the National Defense Forces (TNI) at National Monument (Monas) Square, Jakarta, Widodo directed officials to prioritize the budget for purchasing domestically made defense system products.
There needs to be a transfer of technology to the domestic defense industry if foreign products are purchased, he added.
"The modernization of defense equipment must be an important part of developing domestic defense industry investment. So, this must be encouraged by technology transfer, increasing HR (human resources), and prioritizing domestic products," he said.
"Related to this, I ask to use the budget, which is difficult to collect and is money from the people, to be spent and returned to the people," added the President.
He also asked that the defense equipment purchasing policies be made wisely and considering budget priorities for other needs outside the defense sector.
"The modernization of defense equipment is very necessary, but state finances and our state budget are very limited, and the need for people's welfare is very large. Therefore, spending on state defense equipment must be done wisely in terms of method and allocation," he explained.
After taking part in the TNI's 78th anniversary parade and defile, Widodo noted that the quality of the defense equipment that currently strengthens the TNI needs to be improved.
"We need to evaluate it, but, in general, I think it's good," he said.
Meanwhile, TNI commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, stressed that the modernization of defense equipment is a need that must be met.
"However, according to priorities, modernization cannot be carried out immediately as a whole, but in stages," he said.
If the modernization of defense equipment is carried out taking into account the priority scale, the use of the budget will be on target, he added.
At the commemoration of the TNI's 78th anniversary at Monas, President Widodo and invited guests observed a parade displaying hundreds of main weapons systems from the three TNI units.
A number of domestically made defense equipment were also displayed, such as the P6 ATAV light attack tactical vehicle, "Maung" close combat light tactical vehicle, "Anoa" armored vehicle, "Komodo" light armored vehicle, and Sergap E-Tactical electric dirt bike.
Other defense equipment that were also displayed included weapons and missile systems, such as the anti-submarine MK-46 Torpedo, MK-44 Torpedo, sea bombs, anti-surface ship Exocet MM38 Missiles, Steamgas Torpedoes, and SUT Torpedoes.
Yakhont Missile, Exocet MM40 B3 Missile, VL MICA Missile, C-802 Missile, C-705 Missile, Blackshark Torpedo, A244S Torpedo, P-15 Termit Missile, Mistral Missile, AL-1M Missile, Seacat Missile, and Astros II MK 6 Missile Launcher were also displayed during the commemoration.
A number of defense equipment made since 1960 were also on display, such as the PT 76 Amphibious Tank and the BTR 50 P amphibious landing tank. These weapons systems are currently strengthening the Indonesian Navy's Marine Corps.
Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi, Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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