Defence Minister and TNI Commander Outline Plan for 500 Territorial Development Battalions
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto outlined plans to build 500 territorial development battalions to TNI retirees at the Ministry of Defence building in Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, on Friday, 24 April 2026.
Head of the Defence Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the plan is part of efforts to strengthen the TNI moving forward. The government targets the construction of 150 territorial development battalions each year. “The plan is to build 150 territorial development battalions every year,” he said at the Ministry of Defence building in Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, on Friday, 24 April 2026.
In 2025, the Ministry of Defence targeted the formation of 500 Territorial Development Infantry Battalions over five years. The project will be carried out in stages, with a target of 150 new battalions per year, starting in 2025.
However, Rico did not provide detailed information on how many battalions have already been built to date. Additionally, Rico mentioned that Defence Minister Sjafrie also conveyed the results of his visit to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in April 2026 to the retirees.
Rico stated that the meeting served as a forum to convey the latest developments regarding the direction of national defence policy, including strategies for developing TNI strength in the future. “While also listening to various inputs and constructive views from the retirees,” he said.
Rico claimed that the retirees received the explanations clearly and provided positive responses to the presentations by the Defence Minister and TNI Commander. He added that the retirees also provided input regarding peacekeeping forces in Lebanon and developments in the geopolitics of the Strait of Hormuz. This input will serve as material for evaluation in developing the country’s defence policy.
Previously, several former TNI Commanders gathered at the Ministry of Defence building. They gathered to attend a silaturahmi (fraternal gathering) by the Defence Minister with the retirees. Some of those present included former ABRI Commander Wiranto, Yudo Margono, Agus Suhartono, Andika Perkasa, and Gatot Nurmantyo.
Also present were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago and former Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) and Presidential Special Advisor for National Defence General TNI Dudung Abdurachman.
In addition, Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) Maruli Simanjuntak, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force Admiral Muhammad Ali, and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force Tonny Harjono were present. The event was also attended by Deputy TNI Commander Tandyo Budi Revita. The event, which lasted approximately three hours, was held in a closed session.