President: Minimum Essential Force Fulfillment Will be Adjusted to the State Budget
The government aims to bring the Minimum Essential Force as close as possible to the 100% target by 2024. Meeting the Minimum Essential Force is crucial for maintaining national sovereignty.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The fulfillment of Indonesia’s Minimum Essential Force (MEF) is progressing slowly. The strengthening of new primary weapon systems (alutsista) heavily depends on budget availability.
“Everything is adjusted to the budget we have. But we are trying to ensure it is met,” said President Joko Widodo after witnessing the handover of a C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Minister of Defence, Prabowo Subianto, to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) Chief of Staff (KASAU), ACM Fadjar Prasetyo, at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta, on Wednesday (March 8, 2023). So far, the TNI AU’s MEF has only reached 51.51% as of early 2023. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) had reached 76.23%, and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) stood at 59.69% as of 2021. Overall, in 2021, Indonesia’s MEF was at 62.31%. According to the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024, the MEF target is set at 100%.
To strengthen the TNI AU’s MEF, M. Subianto assured that additional aircraft would be procured. “Certainly, certainly,” he stated. M. Subianto claimed that President Widodo’s administration has provided the largest defence support in history. However, this support has been constrained by other urgent priorities, such as handling the COVID-19 pandemic, which required a large budget.
Regarding the MEF target, he emphasised that it is not solely about percentage achievement. “The important thing is Indonesia’s military operational readiness,” M. Subianto said after receiving the Honorary Wing Brevet from TNI AU at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base.
Nevertheless, M. Subianto remains committed to bringing Indonesia’s MEF as close as possible to the 100% target. He stressed that the military is essential for national security, sovereignty, and prosperity. Without strong defence, Indonesia’s natural resources would continue to be eroded.
Therefore, the Ministry of Defence will continue to procure new primary weapon systems, such as fighter jets and warships. One example is the Dassault Rafale fighter jet. M. Subianto mentioned that negotiations for other aircraft purchases are still ongoing.
“The (Dassault) Rafale will arrive in three, four, or five years. In addition, we plan to acquire several relatively young foreign aircraft,” said M. Subianto, without specifying the aircraft models.
Meanwhile, the TNI AL will receive additional frigates, fast attack craft, and guided-missile ships. The modernisation of 41 TNI AL warships (KRI) is also underway. By December 5, 2023—coinciding with Navy Day—27 ships are expected to be completed.
M. Subianto also emphasised that while negotiations and procurement are ongoing, Indonesia must maintain strong deterrence. He mentioned efforts to modernise and rejuvenate outdated weapon systems. While not explicitly stated, this effort includes refurbishing old equipment and decommissioning inefficient systems with high maintenance costs.
In the 2023 State Budget, Indonesia allocated IDR 134.32 trillion for defence. Specifically, IDR 55.6 trillion was allocated to the Army, IDR 23.7 trillion to the Navy, and IDR 19.2 trillion to the Air Force. Meanwhile, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Headquarters received IDR 12.08 trillion.
Defence analyst Fauzan Malufti from Semar Sentinel noted that Indonesia’s defence budget has not yet reached 1.5% of GDP. This is because the government also needs to prioritise economic and social welfare sectors.
Apart from budget constraints, military procurement—whether for fighter jets or warships—takes years. This does not include the time needed for training personnel to operate the systems proficiently. “The public must understand this. Defence development cannot happen instantly,” M. Malutfi stated.
He emphasised the need to shift defence spending into investment. In military procurement transactions, the government should negotiate technology transfers to enhance Indonesia’s defence industry’s self-sufficiency.
Moreover, partnerships should prioritise joint production. This means foreign defence manufacturers should be required to produce equipment in Indonesia. “Local technicians and manufacturers must be involved to ensure mutual benefits,” M. Malutfi added.
Modern
The newly arrived C-130J-30 Super Hercules has been recognised by President Widodo as a highly sophisticated aircraft. This version has extensive automation features. Previous Hercules models operated by the Air Force required manual navigation and engineering, necessitating at least five crew members. However, in the new model, navigation is automated, requiring only three crew members: a pilot, co-pilot, and a loadmaster, who also serves as an engineer.
Commander of Air Squadron 31, LTC Anjou Manik, added that route adjustments and navigation, previously done manually, are now automated. Flight speed control is also automated. The aircraft can carry 98 paratroopers with full gear or 128 standard troops. Its cargo capacity reaches 19.9 tons. “This means it is ideal for both military and non-military operations, including disaster relief. The Super Hercules can reach all parts of Indonesia, as it has an 11-hour flight endurance,” said President Widodo.
Indonesia has ordered five C-130J-30 aircraft from Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace and defence company. The remaining aircraft are scheduled to arrive in June, July, October, and January 2024. Before acquiring the Super Hercules, the Indonesian Air Force operated older Hercules models, including the C-130H and C-130B.
As part of the technology transfer initiative, the Air Force has sent personnel to learn how to maintain the Super Hercules. M. Subianto stated that maintenance, repairs, and overhauls would be conducted domestically.
The U.S. military has been using the C-130J since 1999, with at least 121 units in service, as reported on the website www.af.mil. Lockheed Martin describes the C-130J-30 as an extended version of the C-130J, with a fuselage 15 feet (approximately 4.5 meters) longer and a larger cargo compartment.
Former Air Squadron 31 commanders expressed their enthusiasm for the new aircraft. One of them, AVM (Ret.) Bachrudin (77), who led Squadron 31 in 1987, emphasised the necessity of transport aircraft in Indonesia. “These aircraft are not just for troop transport but also for logistics and personnel, especially in disaster situations. Our country is vast, and this aircraft only requires a 1,000-meter runway. So, the C-130J-30 is essential,” he said. AVM (Ret.) Nurullah, who led the squadron in 1998, added that the more modern Super Hercules, with greater power and range, would be highly beneficial for both TNI AU and Indonesia. Alongside the Super Hercules handover, a C-130H Hercules that had undergone a server wing box replacement by GMF Garuda was also displayed.
First-Time Experience
Before receiving TNI AU Honorary Wing Brevet from TNI Commander Adm. Yudo Margono, M. Subianto flew in an F-16 fighter jet with tail number TS-1601. He was accompanied by M. Prasetyo, who flew another F-16 with tail number TS-1621.
The flight lasted approximately 30 minutes and marked M. Subianto’s first time flying in an F-16. He recalled that he once aspired to be an Air Force pilot but ended up serving in the Army.
“I am proud and amazed. Defence is not a luxury but a necessity for a nation to remain independent,” M. Subianto stated.
Three F-16 fighter jets were airborne during the event. Two of them were armed with four missiles each, including the one M. Subianto was on board.
