"It is part of efforts to build a minimum essential force," he said at his speech at the commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the country's defense forces.

"I have often said in various international forums that we have no intention whatsoever to conduct an arms race nor an aggression to another country militarily. On any occasion I have always stated that our foreign policy is always led by a will to increase friends and reduce enemies," Yudhoyono was quoted by Antara news wire as saying.

The president said the modernization of weapons is solely for safeguarding and defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We have done it as part of our strategic defense plan that specially considers army, navy and air force integration. Apart from that we are also developing our military and defense doctrines," said Yudhoyono.

He said in the years to come complete and modern weapons system equipment would arrive, adding the army would have two battalions of tanks, 155 mm cannons, air defense missiles, attack helicopters while the navy would have destroyers and anti- submarine helicopters.

Indonesia announced its decision to buy Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) from Germany with delivery schedule to commence in October this year, a statement released by the Indonesian defense ministry said here on Monday, July 2, 2012.

"The new air force military hard wares meanwhile include full combat trainer CN 295, transport aircraft Hercules, Tucano and F16 fighters," he said.