Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Indonesian Defense Ministry has been allocated a total budget of Rp187.1 trillion for 2026. Brigadier General Frega Wenas, Head of the Defense Ministry's Information Bureau, stated that safeguarding the nation's sovereignty requires substantial funds.
"In principle, that amount is actually not yet ideal," he said at the Defense Ministry office in Jakarta on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Frega explained that the ministry's budget needs extend beyond just the procurement of primary weapon systems (alutsista). The Defense Ministry also requires funding from the state budget for employee salaries, capital, and operational activities.
Although the budget is considered less than ideal, Frega noted that the ministry understands the government's decision regarding the total allocation for the upcoming year. The Defense Ministry remains committed to using the budget to protect the nation's sovereignty and integrity.
According to Frega, the ultimate goal is to foster development stability so that society can live prosperously. "We also want Indonesia's regions to be peaceful and stable," he stated.
The ministry's total budget for the next year is higher than the previous year's allocation of Rp166.26 trillion. This figure is based on the Financial Note II of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget.
In a report released by the Finance Ministry, the expenditure budget for the defense sector is projected to reach Rp247.5 trillion in 2025. Of that total, Rp102.3 trillion has already been spent in the first semester of 2025.
On a separate occasion, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, that the budget will be used to cover the needs of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), including the salaries of personnel from the headquarters and the three branches of the military.
"This budget will be used for strengthening the TNI, paying employee salaries, and for national vigilance," he said at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta.
During a closed working meeting with Parliamentary Commission I, Minister Sjafrie requested that the legislative body pay attention to the defense budget needs. "The price of sovereignty cannot be compared to the budget we receive. We have proposed to Parliament through Commission I that they continuously pay attention to the government's budget needs in safeguarding sovereignty," Sjafrie stated.
– Dian Rahma contributed to the report