Committee Chairman Said Abdullah said Monday the country's current defense allocation remains low compared to advanced nations with modern military capabilities.
“Going forward, we will strengthen defense spending in line with efforts to maintain fiscal health,” he said in a statement.
The MEF is a minimum level of defense strength required for Indonesia to effectively perform its military duties and respond to threats.
Indonesia’s Defense Ministry and armed forces (TNI) have been allocated Rp139.2 trillion ($8.8 billion) for 2025, following efficiency measures. The 2026 budget has already been approved at Rp187.1 trillion ($11.8 billion).
According to the 2025 Defense Budget Rankings by Global Firepower, Indonesia is ranked 29th — below Singapore, which ranks 26th.
“This level is not yet ideal to support MEF, due to our fiscal limitations,” Abdullah said.
He emphasized that meeting MEF targets requires strong organizational development, industrial support, funding, and military professionalism.
Under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership as former defense minister, Indonesia added six new regional army commands, 14 naval bases, three air force commands, one air operations command, six special forces groups, 20 territorial brigades, one marine infantry brigade, one rapid deployment regiment, and 100 territorial battalions.
Additional forces include five new marine infantry battalions and five rapid deployment battalions.
Abdullah noted the growth of the domestic defense industry, with PT PAL building warships and PT Pindad producing tanks, assault rifles, and heavy artillery.
Indonesia is also co-developing a 4.5-generation fighter jet, the KAI KF-21 Boramae, with South Korea.
“Our defense industry is vital for building strategic autonomy,” he said.
He stressed that TNI professionalism must be preserved by keeping it neutral in politics and ensuring personnel are disciplined, loyal, and skilled in combat.
“The TNI is built on a strict merit system. Promotions are based on performance. Bravo, and happy 80th anniversary to the TNI. Be brave patriots of the nation,” Abdullah added.
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Translator: Agatha OV, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Arie Novarina
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