Brunei increases defense budget to strengthen its position in the south China sea.

During his budget speech on March 2, 2024, the Brunei Ministry of Defense announced its highest budget for the fiscal year 2024/25, setting it at $796.3 million. This allocation represents a 28.5% increase from the current fiscal year, ending March 31, and a 10.7% rise from the previous record of $719.15 million a decade ago, despite a decline in government revenue. The minister emphasized the necessity of a robust defense strategy to protect national interests in an increasingly complex and unpredictable security landscape.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Airbus C295MW medium tactical transport aircraft (Picture source: Airbus)

Brunei, a small absolute monarchy located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, finds itself in a complex geopolitical context, enriched by its natural resources, primarily oil and natural gas, which ensure its economic prosperity and political independence. Despite its small size and limited population, Brunei plays a strategic role in the region due to its position in the South China Sea, a disputed and crucial area for international maritime routes. Territorial claims in these contested waters place Brunei in a delicate balance between maintaining friendly relations with its ASEAN neighbors and protecting its sovereignty and natural resources.

The ministry plans to continue enhancing its capabilities through the acquisition, maintenance, and upgrading of assets to counter security threats, similar to the priorities of the previous year's budget. Pehin Dato Hj Halbi highlighted the importance of improving intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance capabilities, with the implementation of a new system in the near future. Special attention is also being given to the ability to monitor and detect underwater threats to ensure an effective response in preserving Brunei's territorial integrity.

The 2021 Defence White Paper, which outlines Brunei's medium- to long-term defense policy and strategy, identified the South China Sea dispute as one of the sultanate's major security challenges. As part of its defense strategy focused on deterrence and diplomacy, Brunei began deploying drones in 2022 and received two patrol ships from Singapore last year to enhance maritime surveillance.

The Defence Ministry also procured four Airbus C295MW tactical transport aircraft, two of which were delivered in January. These new aircraft will be used for strategic airlift, humanitarian and disaster relief operations, as well as search and rescue missions.

The Defence Minister of Brunei also announced the creation of a defense capability committee tasked with planning and managing military assets and infrastructure in a more systematic manner based on long-term needs. Replacement, upgrading, and service life extension programs for capability systems and infrastructure will be conducted in stages based on priority levels before proceeding to future acquisitions.

Regarding the National Development Plan (RKN) projects, the minister emphasized that regular maintenance is a requirement that must be considered in future defense budgets to ensure the long-term usability of assets.

Brunei's record defense budget coincides with record global military spending in 2023, amid increased geopolitical tensions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Palestine war.

Defense News March 2024