Defence Minister Assesses TNI Ready to Face Challenges
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has stated that all branches of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) are now capable of meeting the challenges of maintaining, protecting, and securing the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. He expressed a desire for TNI exercises at various levels and scales to be held more frequently.
He made the statement at the Marine Corps training area in Dabo Singkep, Riau Islands, on Wednesday, after observing the 2026 TNI Integrated Exercise. The drill involved all three branches of the military and featured various scenarios demonstrating the deployment of TNI personnel and weaponry systems.
“From what I have seen directly in the field, I am convinced, as Minister of Defence, to report to the President that the TNI is now capable of answering the challenges of its duties in maintaining, protecting, and securing the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
Sjafrie noted that some of the aspects addressed in this exercise were previously identified as shortcomings years ago, particularly regarding the supply of ammunition ranging from small calibres to rockets, missiles, and bombs. “Today I have seen firsthand the combat strength of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, both in terms of defence equipment and the fulfilment of ammunition from the smallest to the largest calibres,” he said.
The exercise targets were proven in the recently concluded drills. “So, the revitalisation of national defence, specifically the expenditure of TNI strength in 2026, is beginning to revive and we are showing the people of Indonesia that the main mission entrusted by the people to the President as the mandate holder can be accounted for by the state defence system, whose instrument is the TNI,” Sjafrie added.
The Defence Minister added that a current challenge for the TNI is ensuring that training programmes, both integrated and branch-specific, are not conducted only once a year. To build confidence among all soldiers, he said, exercises should be held two or three times annually. “This is to show that soldiers, equipment, and support are one,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of the presence of members of the House of Representatives to support the budget required for the TNI to train and demonstrate its real capability to maintain the survival of the Republic of Indonesia. Furthermore, he announced plans to make operational modifications to domestically produced equipment to showcase the nation’s defence industry capability in building its defence strength. As an example, he cited an unmanned survival vehicle, colloquially known as a kamikaze drone, which will be deployed in the field to counter illegal intruders who cross borders unlawfully.