"Even before the crisis there was no significant increase in the military strength."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Thursday the Indonesian military strength is still much below the minimum requirement.
Therefore, the government has continued to increase the military budget to strengthen and modernize the country`s weapon system, Yudhoyono said when opening a limited cabinet meeting at the military headquarters in Cilangkap.
"In any country, the defense budget is relatively big. Therefore, I ask for good management of the budget," he said.
He said military operations are not only for state defense and security , but have expanded to overcoming natural disasters, peace keeping mission even to fight terrorism.
He said Indonesia has long stopped modernizing its weapon system, not only because the country was hit by financial crisis.
"Even before the crisis there was no significant increase in the military strength," he said.
Therefore, with an increase in the state budget thanks to strong economic growth, the country could finance the strengthening and modernization of the military, he said in a cabinet meeting at the military headquarters on development of national defense system.
(Uu.AS/H-ASG/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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