Indonesia prioritises defence spending in 2026 State Budget
Indonesia must build a strong defence capability to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity in the world full of uncertainty, where threats could come suddenly.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (Photo: Antara)
Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto affirmed that national defence will be one of the eight primary areas in the 2026 Draft State Budget (RAPBN), alongside food and energy security, quality education and health care, rural development, and investment promotion.
In his recent address on the 2026 State Budget Bill and its Financial Notes in the Nusantara Building of the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta, Prabowo stated that the budget will modernise Indonesia’s weaponry and defence equipment, strengthen the Reserve Component (Komcad), empower national defence industries, and improve the welfare of soldiers.
Indonesia must build a strong defence capability to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity in the world full of uncertainty, where threats could come suddenly, he said, adding the country possesses rare earth reserves, a critical resource for the defence industry, which will serve as a strategic advantage. Both state-owned and private enterprises will be encouraged to participate in the defence sector.
🌠 Part of the defence budget will also be allocated to maintain security, public order as well as law enforcement against crime, drug trafficking, corruption, and money laundering./.
Speaking at the opening session of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on August 15, Prabowo said this optimism is based on sound financial management, coupled with economic restructuring and productivity improvements. He also set a target for interest rates to remain at around 6.9%.
Army battalions comprising thousands of soldiers have been deployed, focusing on agriculture and health tasks throughout Indonesia, particularly in remote areas.
The projects will be managed by the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP). Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, said the government is targeting the construction of 100 GW of solar power plants, creating a large market for the domestic battery industry.
Running through September 20, the event marks the first time an official platform has been created within the AIPA framework to connect the private sector with policymakers, aiming to discuss pressing issues such as economic growth, sustainability, digitalisation, and social inclusion.
Colonel David Dwi Martin W, Director of Training for the Indonesian Air Force, said that the exercise helps deepen ties between the two air forces while fostering mutual trust and respect between the two nations.
In its initial phase, the programme will recruit 20,000 fresh graduates. Each participant will receive a monthly stipend equal to the provincial minimum wage — currently 3.3 million IDR (200 USD) — for a six-month period.
ASEAN Express, a new cross-border freight rail service, is being hailed as a breakthrough in international rail connectivity, expected to strengthen Thailand’s and ASEAN’s economic competitiveness in the near future.
An illegal wildlife trade case involving 16 protected eagles has been busted in Central Bangka district, Bangka Belitung Islands province of Indonesia.
Singapore has been ranked fifth among 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, marking the third consecutive year it has remained in the top five.
Senior defence officials of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the Philippines discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in defence and weapon industry at their meeting in Seoul on September 15.
From September 16, residents and visitors can enjoy a safer, cleaner, and higher-quality travel option aboard the company’s signature cyan taxis, with special promotions available for new users.
The declaration, endorsed at the ASEAN Prosecutors/Attorneys General Meeting (APAGM) in Bali, commits regional prosecutors to closer coordination in addressing transnational offenses such as online gambling, scams, corruption, money laundering, and cross-border asset smuggling.
CAMEX features 17 themed pavilions, including 10 dedicated to ASEAN member states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – as well as a regional pavilion from Guangxi, China. It also hosts a special World Halal Trade Centre and themed areas for other Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) members such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
The Indonesian government has confirmed that it will stop providing incentives for imported completely built-up (CBU) battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from 2026.
The ministry warned that the RSV can easily spread through mucus, saliva and toys around children. Currently, there is no specific treatment or RSV vaccine for children, so families were urged to take preventive measures.
Thailand has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets for artificial intelligence (AI), with OpenAI reporting that weekly active users of ChatGPT in the country have quadrupled over the past year.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is driving forward the Land Bridge mega-project, valued at nearly 1 trillion THB (31.5 billion USD), to stimulate the economy and attract long-term investment.
A discussion on Vietnamese cuisine, culture and tourism was held in Tel Aviv on September 14, aiming to deepen the understanding of Vietnamese culture and promote people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Israel, especially as the two countries expand cooperation across multiple fields.
Confirmed initiatives include the revival of the popular "Half-Half" co-payment scheme. Other proposals under discussion - though not yet finalised - include the "We Travel Together" tourism stimulus programme, decentralisation efforts and disaster mitigation strategies.
Fidel’s words to the gathered soldiers: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood!” captured the very essence of the friendship forged between the two nations, a relationship nurtured through resilience, dignity, and internationalist spirit.
The satellite Nusantara 5 (N5), launched by Indonesia, is expected to strengthen connectivity in Indonesia's eastern region, supporting distance learning, digital health care, and providing access to information and entertainment for remote communities.