REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian Government commits to improve and modernize the weaponry system of Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). "In our effort to improve the ability of TNI as the main component in national defense, we will increase the defense as well as modernize weaponry," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in his keynote speech at the 67th Anniversary of TNI on Friday.

Government admits that TNI's weaponry must be replaced and modernize. Along with Indonesian economic growth and increasing state ability, government increases the defense budget, with modernizing weaponry as its priority to reach Minimum Essential Force (MEF).

"I said several times in international forum that we do not have any intention to inflame weaponry in the region. We also do not have any intention to become military aggressive nation," he said. He explained that weaponry modernization was aimed to guard and defend state sovereignty and regional integrity.

Indonesian Army will soon have two main battle tanks, battle vehicles, field and air artillery, tactical and strategical multi-barreled rocket, air defense missile, and attack helicopters.

Indonesian Navy will get Sigma-class corvette warship, submarine, fast ship missile, maritime patrol aircraft, anti-submarine helicopter, amphibious tank and panzer, and also tactical multi-barelled rocket.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Air Forces will obtain Spain-made medium aircraft CN-295, Hercules C-130 H, Brazilian fighter Super Tucano, Russian Sukhoi 27MK-2, American T-50 and 24 units of F-16.

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