Update: Indonesia reduces projected defence spending for 2023

Janes Defence Budgets forecasts that Indonesia's military expenditure will fall slightly but then resume growth in the coming years. (Janes Defence Budgets)

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has requested IDR132 trillion (USD8.8 billion) for its national budget allocation in 2023.

The amount requested represents a 1.9% decline from the IDR134.7 trillion defence budget that was allocated in 2022.

These were among the details provided in a recently released Indonesian Ministry of Finance publication that summarised the 2023 budget requests from the different ministries and statutory bodies.

From the sum requested by the defence ministry, IDR35 trillion will be deployed towards modernising the Indonesian National Armed Forces' main weapon systems, while a further IDR3.6 trillion will be set aside for operating expenses.

In addition, IDR12 trillion will be allocated towards programmes to increase the professionalism and welfare of the armed forces personnel, the publication noted.

Operations that will be prioritised in 2023 include the Indonesian Navy's ongoing effort to map the country's underwater terrain more expansively, and the hardening of defence facilities at Indonesia's border islands.

Priority will also be given towards increasing the Indonesian National Armed Forces' defences against threats in the digital realm, the publication added.

This article, originally published on 24 August 2022, has been updated with new imagery.