Brunei (Washington Insider Magazine)—Brunei is significantly increasing its defense budget for 2024, with a sharp focus on enhancing its intelligence, surveillance, and targeting capabilities. The government has allocated 796.3 million Brunei dollars (approximately US $594 million) for defense spending, marking a 31.6% rise from last year’s budget of 605.2 million Brunei dollars. This increase is far above the 5.5% rise in overall government spending for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Secondary Defense Minister Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof, speaking at the Legislative Council on March 2, highlighted Brunei’s growing security challenges, especially in protecting its maritime borders. He explained that the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces are focused on bolstering their intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance systems, with new systems set to be introduced soon. Special attention is also being placed on detecting and responding to underwater threats to secure Brunei’s territorial integrity.
Brunei’s defense strategy is increasingly shaped by tensions in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes, including those over illegal fishing and maritime boundaries, have raised security concerns. The country is also concerned with global instability, terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats, as outlined in its 2021 defense whitepaper.
As part of its growing military capability, Brunei has already made significant acquisitions. In 2022, the country received Insitu-made Integrator drones, forming its first drone unit, No. 39 Squadron. In 2023, Brunei’s Navy received two refurbished Fearless-class patrol vessels from Singapore, enhancing its maritime surveillance. Additionally, in December 2022, Brunei took delivery of four Airbus C295MW tactical transport aircraft, two of which entered service in February 2024.
Brunei’s defense acquisitions are expected to continue, with a focus on replacing and upgrading existing military assets. Minister Halbi emphasized that these upgrades will be prioritized to ensure maximum effectiveness before pursuing new acquisitions.