Bandung – The government will increase gradually its defence budget starting from 2010, in corresponding with the plan, the government will also develop stand-by forces and center for peace keeping forces.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had said it when he witnessed a hand-over ceremony of 40 units of Armored Vehicle 6x6 made by PT. Pindad to Minister of Defence Juwono Sudarsono and Commander of National Defence Forces General Djoko Santoso at CN-235 hangar, PT. Dirgantara Indonesia, Bandung.

The President had stated that the government had proposed to the House of Representatives an increased defence budget up to 20% from US$ 3.36 billion in 2009 to become US$ 4.06 billion in 2010.  “Systematically, year to year, we will be moving closer to the budget figure which is needed to fulfill minimum forces, between US$ 10 – 12 billion,” said the President.

(Kompas, Saturday, 11 July 2009)