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rmy Chief of Staff Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo said his institution would optimize the Rp 14 trillion (about US$1.6 billion) allocated from the state budget to modernize TNI’s main weaponry systems.

“The funds are allocated for the next three years until 2014,” Pramono said during a ceremony to mark Juang Kartika Day at the Infantry Brigade Command in Cimahi, West Java, on Thursday.

The funds were said to be used to purchase 100 German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks, one weighing 62 tons, and reportedly priced at $280 million.

The Army initially planned to buy 44 of the tanks, but after negotiations, the German manufacturer offered 100 of them for the same price.

Indonesia’s team, led by Lt. Gen. Budiman, eventually decided to purchase the 100 tanks.

The tanks are expected to be able to equip more than two battalions. Currently, only 15 countries use the tanks. One of them is Singapore, which is the only user in Southeast Asia.

TNI will also buy eight Apache helicopters, according to Budiman.

“This is aimed at building a minimum essential force,” said the former Army Special Forces commander.

The manufacturer offered a special price for the Apache choppers by discounting $5 million from the original price of $30 million per unit.

Among other weapons on TNI’s spending list are multi-barrel rocket launchers, Type 1412 helicopters and French-made 155-mm caliber cannons.

According to Pramono, the modernization of the Indonesian Army’s weaponry systems is vital to replace its aging weaponry, some dating back to 20 years ago.

“We still have a 76-mm cannon that has not yet been decommissioned. What makes me proud is that the Army soldiers are able to maintain it,” he said, adding less than 50 percent of the current combat equipment was more than 20 years old.

In response to arms and equipment purchased from domestic industries, Pramono said the Indonesian Army had made it a priority.

“In principle, we are obliged to buy everything that can be made by domestic companies and industries, but we have to buy some weapons from overseas so we can compete with arms producing countries in the Southeast Asia region,” said Pramono, who is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s brother-in-law.

During the event, Pramono reminded all Army soldiers to further strengthen their relationships with the National Police to create a peaceful and prosperous Indonesia.