Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Ministry of Defense aims to increase its defense budget from 0.8 percent to 1.5 percent of GDP in stages, Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced during the Ministry’s leadership meeting in Jakarta on Thursday (16/1/2025).

Defense Ministry Information Bureau Chief Brigadier General Frega F. Wenas Inkiriwang said that the proposed increase is essential to fund critical needs, including weapons procurement, infrastructure development, human resource enhancement, and other strategic initiatives.

However, achieving this goal requires stable economic growth. 

"The government’s ability to allocate funds for national defense depends heavily on regional GDP contributions and overall economic conditions," Chief Frega said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The ministry supports government programs such as industrial downstreaming, investment growth, and food security, which are expected to strengthen the national economy and enable higher defense spending.

“These initiatives bolster our sovereignty and ensure a stronger, more advanced national defense system,” Chief Frega added.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)