Southeast Asian nations are increasing its military budget amid the tensions in China to set up internal defense industry and lessen its reliance on U.S. and European weapon supplier.

Countries including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are still patronizing top arm dealers like Airbus Group NV or Lockheed Martin Corp. However, they are now imploring their own defense industries to locally manufacture its own artillery.

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Based on reports, the regional defense budgeted for 2016 is US$40 billion which is 10 percent higher than the 2013 budget which will allow southeastern countries to develop their own arms.

The 10 ASEAN countries have been planning to set-up its own military defense, but the entire plan which is considered as a long-term goal was expedited following China's claims in the South China Sea, according to security analysts.

In a statement, Asia Pacific defense industry analyst Jon Grevatt said China's activity magnified the issue of securing each country's territory.

Meanwhile, China is now claiming nearly nine-tenths of the South China Sea and planted a US$1 billion oil rig in the Vietnam seas which alarmed southeastern nations.

China reportedly increased its marine presence, driving Vietnam to buy over 32 coastguard ships worth US$543 million.

The majority of purchases for Southeast Asia's defense are largely intended for the procurement of jets or submarines from Western defense suppliers.

Southeast Asia's expenses for defense increased 5 percent to US$35.9 billion in 2013, according to reports of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

 The expenditure is expected to increase up to US$40 billion in 2016. 

Tagssoutheast asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand