Defense Analysis

Defense Agenda on Jokowi Era

by David Raja Marpaung

Indonesia’s president elect Joko Widodo and his Vice President Jusuf Kalla designed a nine priorities agenda called “Nawa Cita” for his presidency in 2014 to 2019.  The first priority is very related with defense and security agenda. This is showing the attention of Jokowi with these sectors. The first priority of Nawa Cita is to renew the state’s obligation to protect all people and provide security to all citizens through the free and active foreign policy, national security and the development of reliable national defense based on integrated national interests and strengthening national identity as a maritime nation.

Jokowi already emphasize that defense of a country is a major factor in ensuring the survival of the nation. A country will not be able to maintain its existence from threats both from within and from abroad if the country has not been able to maximize defense.

Related with defense budget, Jokowi In his vision, said to realize the defense budget of 1.5% of GDP. Indonesia's defense budget in 2013 amounted to USD 7.4 billion (USD 81.88 billion), or 0.9% of GDP. That is, there is less 0.6% of GDP, or $ 5.2 billion (USD 54.37 billion) from the defense budget and desired by Jokowi. 

Indonesia's defense budget is only smaller than Singapore in 2013, but the budget as a percentage of GDP, been modest. As a comparison, Singapore's defense budget of USD 9.76 billion (2.618% of GDP), Indonesia USD 7.84 billion (0.9% GDP), Thailand USD 5.847 billion (1.6% GDP), Malaysia USD 4.84 billion (1.6% of GDP), and the Philippines to USD 3.472 billion (1.39% of GDP). If our defense budget of 1.5% of GDP, then our defense budget would be US $ 13.045 billion, exceeding Singapore 

Modernization of Defense Main Tools

Joko Widodo committed to continued improvement and modernization of the main tools of weapons systems Indonesian National Army. Jokowi promised to continue and improve what was already made ​​by the government of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the last 10 years.

Jokowi ill adjust the design of an existing military program with the addition of the Soldiers Welfare Improvement (mainly salaries), keep pace with technological advances qualified human resources, development of strategic industries associated with the military that is PINDAD, PAL and PT. Aerospace, communications equipment and the integration of sea and air patrol operations. 

Developing the Army adapted to the latest technological developments world which include Operational Strength Development, Modernization Unit Airborne as the brigade of 17 and 18 and Kopassus (high technology), Procurement Drones that can be used for monitoring of illegal logging, monitoring Illegal Fishing, Monitoring conflict-prone areas throughout Indonesia, Identification of Forest Fires in Real Time and others.

Navy weapons procurement in the form of submarines, high-speed patrol fleet and mutual cooperation with Drones operations, adequate naval fleet in order to assist the development of marine toll.

Modernization of defense equipment in the form of additional AU-US F16 aircraft (Rafaele-French, European Eurofighter), the latest radar, the addition of C 130 transport aircraft (capacity of 80-100 people) made in the United States, the latest transport aircraft such as the F 400 (Airbus made ​​in Europe) with a transport capacity of 37 tons and 116 fully armed personnel number.