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2017 defense budget set much lower than proposed by govt
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Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel join a ceremony for the 71st TNI anniversary at TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Oct. 5. (Antara/M. Agung Rajasa)
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pending by the Defense Ministry and the Indonesian Military (TNI) next year is set to be much lower than proposed by the government, despite plans to establish military bases in Natuna, Riau Islands.
A draft for the 2017 state budget allocates Rp 104.58 trillion (US$8.3 billion) for defense, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said in Jakarta on Thursday, as quoted by the Antara news agency. That is barely half of the almost Rp 200 trillion suggested by the government.
Modernizing weaponry systems remained the main focus of the budget, he said, as a lot of TNI armament was outdated and no longer usable.
The minister specifically mentioned combat and transportation aircraft as equipment that was most in need of renewal.
The construction of the military bases in Riau Islands would be another focus of the [ministry’s] budget, Ryamizard added.
TNI commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo said last month that the government was currently finalizing plans to build military bases in Natuna for the Air Force, the Navy as well as the Army.
The bases, strategically located in one of the archipelago's outermost regions, were expected to be completed within three years, he said.
The 2017 state budget draft breaks defense spending down to 40 percent for routine expenditure, approximately 20 percent for spending on goods and the remainder for capital expenditure.
The House of Representative's Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs, previously rejected the government's request during budget draft negotiations for defense spending amounting to 1.5 percent of the overall state budget, which would be approximately Rp 180-200 trillion. (liz/rin)
