The former president of Australia's most important strategic neighbour has praised the Turnbull government's blueprint for defence capability as "relevant, realistic and constructive".
Former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono believes the recently released defence white paper reflects the new strategic thinking required in a "very dynamic" South East Asian region.
"You look as us ... with a clear perspective," he told the Australian Strategic Policy Institute conference in Canberra on Wednesday.
"It really encouraged me to do the same actually."
Addressing the conference alongside his "good friend" former prime minister John Howard, Dr Yudhoyono said the region was dealing with power shifts and called for new regional architecture.
Mr Howard hailed the white paper an "excellent document" but warned the proof of its effectiveness would be found in ongoing funding.
The most important elements of any white paper were the struggles between the Finance Department, Treasury and the Defence Department.
"With the appropriate intervention, I hope always on the side of providing enough money for defence by the prime minister," he told the conference.
Defence funding required long-term predictability and stability, he said.
"Without saying anything in the least bit contentious, I think it is fair to observe that there has been an absence of that over recent years."
The former prime minister also urged a focus on defence personnel, who he holds great belief in and affection for.
"The men and women of defence forces have always been, in my view, an ornament to this country," he said.
"Caring for them and making sure they are properly rewarded for the risks they take and commitment they display should be at the very heart of the defence policy."
Dr Yudhoyono, who was president from 2004 to 2014, acknowledged Mr Howard for "strengthening and advancing" Indonesian and Australian bilateral relations.
Together the pair worked towards a stable, peaceful and secure region and laid down the foundation for a new chapter of the countries' relationship, he said.
"I will always remember, in a very challenging time, we were able to sit down and talk exchange our views on how could we further strengthen and expand our bilateral friendship."
Mr Howard started the Australian Strategic Policy Institute when he was prime minister to provide the government independent defence advice.
