Ministry Of Defense Asks For A Budget Of IDR 187 Trillion, TNI Commander: Sophisticated Weapons Are Very Expensive

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto (Diah/VOI)

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto emphasized that the defense budget needs proposed by the Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan) in 2026 amounting to IDR 187 trillion are not without reason.

According to him, the modernization of the main weapon system (alutsista) is absolutely necessary so that Indonesia can maintain regional sovereignty in the midst of the increasingly advanced geopolitical dynamics of the world.

"Because sophisticated weapons are expensive. Very expensive," said Agus when met at the National Monument (Monas) area, Central Jakarta, Sunday, September 21.

Agus revealed that many other countries have the courage to put a large state budget allocation in the defense sector.

"In other countries, the defense is bigger in budget. For example, Pakistan. Defense in other countries is large. So that the army in particular can secure its territory, it can secure the community," explained Agus.

He emphasized that strong defense capabilities also have a direct impact on national stability. According to him, state sovereignty must be controlled so that people can live safely and comfortably.

"Investors can also enter our country without being disturbed by disturbances that disturb investors," he said.

On the one hand, Agus also reminded that the development of world military technology is getting faster. Modern war is now much different from the previous decade.

"If we look at the war now, the world is very sophisticated. If we don't keep up with the times, how do we want to protect the community," he added.

Previously, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, said that Commission I of the DPR had approved the Ministry of Defense and TNI 2026 budget request of Rp. 187.1 trillion to be brought to the Budget Agency (Banggar).

This was conveyed by Sjafrie after a working meeting with Commission I of the DPR RI Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 16. Defense Minister Sjafrie was also accompanied by the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto.

"I was accompanied by the TNI Commander and also the chiefs of staff of the class who had just submitted the final proposal from the Ministry of Defense and the TNI budget in 2026 which had been approved by Commission I to be brought to the Budget Agency, amounting to Rp187,100,000,000,000," said Defense Minister Sjafrie.

"This is used for the sake of developing the strength of the TNI to pay employee salaries. Then also for us to use in the context of our national vigilance against situations that develop over time, which we all know that the global situation will affect the region, and we anticipate it will affect the national sector," he continued.

For this reason, the Minister of Defense said that the TNI and the chiefs of staff of each force continued to increase their readiness in order to meet the Trisula Perisai Nusantara target so that these three dimensions could solidly maintain the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.