Chile's arms acquisition aimed at defense modernization: FM

SANTIAGO, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Chilean Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez said on Tuesday that his country's acquisition of military weapons is in strict accord with its defense modernization process.

Fernandez told media that his country's defense sector is undergoing important development.

"The acquisitions (of military equipment) in recent years merely aim to update the defense capacity of the country," he said.

Fernandez also said defense takes a small part in the national economy, but it is significant to boost the armed forces' efficiency.

He said Chile's expenses on defense have been reduced from 1.7 percent to 1.2 percent of the country's GDP in the past 10 years.