10 May 2013| last updated at 12:24PM

Indonesia to hold largest military exercise next year

SANGATTA (East Kalimantan) - The National Defense Force or TNI will hold the largest military exercise in the country next year, Indonesian news agency ANTARA reported.

In 2014, Indonesia will hold two military exercises consisting of a fast reaction force (PPRC) exercise at battalion level and a joint combat exercise involving the Army, Navy and Air Force as the last activity of the second United Indonesia Cabinet, TNI Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono said Thursday.

"The most complete and biggest-ever exercise will be held late September or early October to demonstrate all of the military's main armament systems procured by the Defense Ministry and the TNI," he said.

The TNI will demonstrate the capability of the entire military equipment and combat force as part of the government and TNI's responsibilities to the people, Suhartono said.

"As 2014 is the final year of the second United Indonesia Cabinet's tasks, one of the activities high on the TNI's agenda is demonstrating all military development programmes next year," he said.

Suhartono said all programmes to develop minimum main forces will not be completed by 2014 as they will continue until 2024.

However, nearly 20 percent of the programmes will have been completed by 2014.

"Nearly 40 percent of the programmes have been completed, thanks to the role and support of the House of Representatives Commission I," Suhartono said. --BERNAMA