"On the contrary, we must think of how to use the budget as maximally as possible."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Army Chief of Staff General Pramono Edhie Wibowo said on Thursday the Army has received the lowest budget allocations for its main armament system among the country`s three forces.

"The budget allocations for the Army are the lowest compared to those of the Navy and the Air Force but this should not discourage us. On the contrary, we must think of how to use the budget as maximally as possible," he said.

In the 2012 state budget, the budget allocations for the Army reached Rp14 trillion, the Navy Rp20 trillion and the Air Force Rp22 trillion, he said.

With the budget allocations of Rp14 trillion, the Army is determined to strengthen and renew its main armament system by buying new weaponry, including 44 new Leopard tanks, he said.

The tanks are expected to arrive in Indonesia in November, he added.

The government through the Defence Ministry plans to buy 103 Leopard tanks, 50 Marder tanks and 10 supporting tanks to strengthen the country`s main armament system.
(Uu.S012/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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