REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged the National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Defense Ministry to prepare a mature plan for purchase of main armament systems for the military.

"There must be a mature and detailed plan so that the budget can be used properly and effectively," the president said while opening a limited meeting on strengthening the TNI at the Presidential Office here on Tuesday.

The budget allocations for the development of the military's main armament system has been increasing every year, he said.

In 2016, the budget allocations for the military's armament system accounted for 1.1 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP), while the figure was recorded at 0.78 percent for 2007 and 0.89 percent for 2016.

Looking ahead, if the rate of economic growth continues at 6 percent or more, the funds will stay at the level of 1.5 percent of the GDP," he said.

The amount may reach up to Rp250 trillion, he added.

The President also underscored the need for the TNI to accord priority to domestic products.

"Once again, the plan must be mature and detailed and part of a development strategy to figure out how can the military be more strong. That is what we want for the future," he said.

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