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Anies to change MEF defense modernization program into NEF if elected
Presidential candidate Anies Baswedan promises to convert the Minimum Essential Force military modernization program into the New Essential Force program if elected. He also aims to transform Southeast Asia into a center of economic growth.
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Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto unveils the eighth Squadron logo on the fuselage of an H225M heavy helicopter at the Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base in Bogor, West Java, on Dec. 1, 2023. State-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) handed over eight H225M helicopters to the 8th Squadron. (Courteys of the Defense Ministry/-)
Presidential candidate pair Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar (AMIN) said they would change the Minimum Essential Force (MEF) defense modernization program to the New Essential Force (NEF) if elected in the 2024 presidential election, AMIN team spokesman Sukamta said ahead of the presidential debate on Sunday, which focuses on defense, security, international relations and geopolitics issues.
The program aims to modernize the nation’s defense capabilities to deal with conventional and potential threats.
The MEF program will end this year after three five-year strategic plans (renstra) and was first launched during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s presidency in 2009.
"Today, we still have the MEF, which will end in 2024. Pak Anies has already prepared the next concept in which we will no longer use MEF. We will use the New Essential Force, not the Minimum Essential Force,” said Sukamta during the Sapa Indonesia Pagi program on Kompas TV on Wednesday.
Sukamta said Anies’ NEF program would focus on the procurement of primary weapons systems that would be heavily based on technological function and adaptation in the future.
He believed that instead of focusing on large-scale procurement, weapons acquisitions should also consider the equipment’s effectiveness, sophistication and efficiency.
In addition to the weapons procurement, Anies aims to transform Southeast Asia into a friendly and peaceful region to be the center of economic growth in the future. This is to respond to the ongoing South China Sea dispute as well as the simmering confrontation between China and Taiwan.
