"We will improve the professionalism of TNI by modernizing the Alutsista. I think we have to continue to remain consistent," Joko Widodo said.
Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - President-elect Joko Widodo is committed to improving and modernizing the primary weapons defense system (Alutsista) of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in a bid to increase TNIs capabilities.

"We will improve the professionalism of TNI by modernizing the Alutsista. I think we have to continue to remain consistent," Joko Widodo stated during the 69th Indonesian Military Day commemoration ceremony in Surabaya, on Tuesday.

Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, expressed his commitment to continue and improve the programs implemented by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the last decade.

Jokowi is determined to improve on the achievements made by the military so far.

"I have said on many occasions that when the economic growth reaches 7 percent, the military budget could be increased two to three times. We will also increase the welfare budget for the soldiers" he affirmed.

Jokowi emphasized that the military was an integral part of Indonesia and was not only used for national defense but also as a pillar for uniting the nation.

"The military is a pillar for unifying the nation. When we notice any breach in the nations security, Alutsista is issued, which has become the pride of the nation," he noted.

Earlier, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed hope that the militarys weapon systems can be increased and modernized in the upcoming years under the new government.

Yudhoyono pointed out that during the initial five years of his term in office, he had successfully integrated the Indonesian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

"The first five years of my leadership were spent in filling up the gaps needed to replace the defunct defense equipment," the president noted during the 69th Indonesian Military Day commemoration ceremony in Surabaya, on Tuesday.

In the meantime, in the last five years or Yudhoyonos term during 2009-2014, the government focused on increasing the strength of the military and modernizing defense equipment for maintaining the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

Yudhoyono stated that the new defense equipment added to the militarys inventory were main battle tanks, cannons, air defense missiles, anti-tank missiles, transport helicopters, and assault helicopters along with ammunition.

Besides that, Yudhoyono affirmed that the militarys new weapon systems comprised corvette warships, anti-missile fast ships, destroyers, multi-frigates ships, multi-barrel tactical rockets, medium-sized transport aircraft, training aircraft, Hercules transport aircraft, and fighter aircraft.

Most of the newly added major defense equipment will be showcased during the commemoration as a report to the government.

The Indonesian militarys commemoration ceremony was also attended by Vice President Boediono, President-elect Joko Widodo, and elected Vice President Jusuf Kalla, among several other high-ranking state officers.

On Monday (October 6), Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro stated in Jakarta that for the 2010-2014 period, the budget for defense equipment was Rp162.98 trillion, of which 75.48 percent or Rp122.2 trillion has been utilized.

Purnomo remarked that the government was committed in its efforts to build the strength of its defense forces, both in terms of the budget and procurement of defense equipment.

The Indonesian defense minister was optimistic that the next government will also support the development of defense equipment.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014