Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – Despite an earlier pledge to cut military spending this year, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised the Indonesian Military (TNI) modern equipment to enhance its capacity to defend against foreign attacks.

During a ceremony to mark TNI's 63rd anniversary Tuesday, the President, also the supreme commander of the TNI, spoke of the importance of Indonesia's ability to defend itself from external threats.

"For that reason, TNI must be ready to face all kinds of threats, be they conventional, asymmetric or unconventional," he said.

He said many countries were implementing power politics and achieving objectives through military might, leading to the possibility of a global "cold war" era.

However, observers questioned Yudhoyono's fears, saying the threat of foreign attack was highly unlikely in the current international environment. They said his promise of providing new military equipment was absurd given the current global economic crisis.

Makmur Keliat, a political expert at the University of Indonesia, said the President had issued a bizarre statement given the financial difficulties faced by the country and his administration's move to cut military spending.

"It's more of a political statement than a defense statement. At the very least, it was confusing and aroused suspicion he is trying to win the heart of the military ahead of the election," he said, adding that the proposal promised a lot of money the country could not afford.

"For instance, a pilot must fly 190 hours per year to be considered war-ready, and an affluent country like South Korea only manages to meet the tally by spending big," he said.

Earlier, military expert Andi Widjajanto said it cost Rp 700 million (US$72,165) for a single jet fighter to fly one operation.

The government has proposed a lower defense budget of Rp 35 trillion in 2009, down from Rp 36 trillion in 2008.

Rizal Sukma of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said the budget would be sufficient if the military served as a national guard rather than as a deterrent against foreign attack.

He said the military had identified Indonesia's biggest threat as natural and maritime disasters.

"So, if we are consistent with the statement then we don't need many jet fighters or submarines. If we focus on these threats, the Rp 36 trillion allocated for defense is enough," he said.