JAKARTA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government is set to purchase a Russian-made submarine, a legislator said Monday.

    "There's always been a plan to purchase submarine and I've surveyed a few submarine workshops in Moscow, Russia. This submarine is to display our naval strength and also anticipate any armed conflicts," official Antara news agency quoted deputy speaker of the House of Representatives' Commission I on political, security and foreign affairs, Yusron Ihza as saying.

    Ihza did not give the exact time for purchasing the submarine, but he said that due to the global economic downturn, the purchase would be made in stages.

    However, he said, it's not necessary to own many submarines since they are expensive,

    He added that the country's economic power needed enhancement as it correlated to the country's defense and security.

    "My colleagues and I at the House have fought for an increase in defense spending, yet unfortunately this isn't possible now," he said, adding that only a third of the proposed budget was approved.