Minimum Essential Force (MEF) is the minimum standard of core strength for the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), a key program in Indonesia's defense sector development.
According to the *Performance Achievement Report of the Deputy for Defense Coordination* (2022), the main objective of the MEF program is "to build the main components of the TNI to achieve minimum core strength as an ideal and respected defense posture at both regional and international levels".
Based on the report, the achievement of the ideal MEF is assessed using four variables:
* Main weapons systems (alutsista);
* Maintenance and upkeep of alutsista;
* Defense infrastructure and facilities; and
* Professionalism and welfare of soldiers.
However, to date, MEF achievement has only been calculated using the alutsista variable, while the other three variables have not been assessed due to more complex calculation formulas.
Therefore, the current MEF value only reflects the physical asset condition of TNI's alutsista.
According to the *Strategic Plan of the Deputy for Defense Coordination, 2020-2024*, the MEF target is continuously increased annually, with a projection of reaching 100% in 2024.
In reality, during the 2015-2018 period, MEF achievement reached and even exceeded the target.
However, in 2019, MEF achievement was only 63.19%, failing to reach the target of 68.90%.
Then, in 2020, it dropped to 62.31%, further from the increased target of 72%.
Currently, the MEF achievement data for 2021 and 2022 is unavailable or unpublished.
According to the *2024 State Budget Financial Note*, this is because the Ministry of Defense implemented a new assessment system, but the legal basis is still lacking.
The *2024 State Budget Financial Note* also notes that "MEF achievement is difficult to increase because many alutsista have reached the end of their service life but have not been replaced, considering that the budget required to purchase alutsista requires a significant portion of the State Budget".