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resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Wednesday that the enlarging of defense budgets of nations in the region, including Indonesia’s, was normal and did not constitute an arms race.

“These growing defense expenditures should be seen as a normal process of military modernization, and not as an arms race,” he said in a speech at the opening of the three-day Jakarta International Defense Dialogue (JIDD).

“Still, we must make sure that these armaments are accompanied by greater trust and confidence between nations, and especially between their militaries.”

He also added that trust and confidence did not surface overnight. “They take time to nurture and require even greater efforts to maintain once they develop”.

In line with higher economic growth, Indonesia’s defense budget rose by 28 percent this year to US$7.01 billion from $5.45 billion in 2011, among the highest increase in the region.

The government has planned to increase defense spending by at least 20 percent annually until 2014.

The Indonesian Defense Ministry earlier this year announced its shopping list for 2012, which reflects its plan for a widespread modernization of its major weapon systems.

The shopping list includes, among others things, main battle tanks (MBTs), helicopters, anti-submarine warfare helicopters, to name a few.

The MBTs, for example, have been given high priority because so far the Indonesian Army only has light tanks.

Indonesia closed out 2011 with several major military procurements, including six Sukhoi Su-30MKK jet fighters from Russia worth $470 million; three submarines from South Korea worth almost $1.1 billion in cooperation with state shipyard PT PAL; nine NC-295 medium transport aircraft from Spain worth $325 billion in cooperation with state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia; 16 KAI T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainers from South Korea, worth $400 million; eight Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano counter-insurgency aircraft from Brazil; and a Grob G 120TP primary trainer aircraft from Germany.

When asked whether Yudhoyono’s statement was made to pacify Indonesia’s neighbors who might be anxious with recent or planned Indonesian acquisitions, the Army chief of staff, Gen. Pramono Edhie Wibowo, said this was not the case.

“We are instead increasing our joint exercise and cooperation with our neighbors. The statement was not made because there are concerned or anxious neighbors,” he told The Jakarta Post after the opening ceremony.

“Actually, the President expected that the development would benefit ASEAN. That’s how I interpret it.

“When he said that we had to be alert, that did not mean that we were worried.

“But it is better to be aware.”

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of state dignitaries, including United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who delivered a keynote address on collaboration and partnership in global security, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, former Philippines president Fidel V. Ramos as well as defense ministers and military chiefs from various countries.

Ban said the UN peacekeeping missions provided value for money.

“Sixty years of peacekeeping have cost less than six weeks of current global military spending,” he told the audience.

He also conveyed his gratitude for Indonesia’s decision to provide three Mi-17 transport helicopters for UN missions.

Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said there were some 1,500 participants from 37 countries in attendance at the event.

He said the Asia Pacific Security and Defense Expo was a supporting event and not meant to compete with the larger, biennial Indo Defense.