Defence Minister Claims Territorial Battalions Symbolise State Presence
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has stated that the existence of territorial development infantry battalions (Yonif TP) represents a symbol of state presence. He claimed that the presence of these military bases could provide a sense of security to the public.
Sjafrie made these remarks during a working visit to Yonif TP 888/Satria Sejati in Bangunrejo, Pamotan, Rembang, Central Java, on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. "The existence of the Yonif TP is a symbol of state presence that provides security, hope, and a stronger future for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," he said, as quoted from a press release on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
According to Sjafrie, the construction of battalions in every district and city is an effort by the state to strengthen defence, as well as to create units that are disciplined, combat-ready, and of tangible benefit to the public.
He expressed hope that these development battalions could grow into territorial forces that are professional, solid, and accepted by the community.
Under the National Long-Term Development Plan 2025–2029, the territorial development battalions referred to by Sjafrie are to be established in every district and city, totalling 514 battalions.
In line with this, the government also plans for each army development battalion to be flanked by two reserve component battalions to bolster defence capability. Accordingly, some 1,080 reserve component battalions are to be established across Indonesia this year.
Centra Initiative, a civil society organisation focused on defence issues, has criticised the plan to expand the number of army bases. Centra Initiative chairman Al Araf assessed that this defence strategy is misguided. In the current era of modern warfare, he argued, what should be strengthened is defence technology and the professionalism of TNI soldiers as the main component in combat.
Al Araf cited the Russia-Ukraine conflict as illustrating how today's wars rely more heavily on technological sophistication. He argued that building numerous battalions would only burden state finances. The budget should instead be used to optimise the training of soldiers, whose capabilities currently remain below standard, and to replace the Indonesian military's ageing and obsolete primary weapons systems.
For Al Araf, the defence concept of building development battalions and two reserve component battalions in every region has lacked clear objectives from the outset. "Ultimately, this construction is merely a project," he said on Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Sjafrie made these remarks during a working visit to Yonif TP 888/Satria Sejati in Bangunrejo, Pamotan, Rembang, Central Java, on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. "The existence of the Yonif TP is a symbol of state presence that provides security, hope, and a stronger future for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," he said, as quoted from a press release on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
According to Sjafrie, the construction of battalions in every district and city is an effort by the state to strengthen defence, as well as to create units that are disciplined, combat-ready, and of tangible benefit to the public.
He expressed hope that these development battalions could grow into territorial forces that are professional, solid, and accepted by the community.
Under the National Long-Term Development Plan 2025–2029, the territorial development battalions referred to by Sjafrie are to be established in every district and city, totalling 514 battalions.
In line with this, the government also plans for each army development battalion to be flanked by two reserve component battalions to bolster defence capability. Accordingly, some 1,080 reserve component battalions are to be established across Indonesia this year.
Centra Initiative, a civil society organisation focused on defence issues, has criticised the plan to expand the number of army bases. Centra Initiative chairman Al Araf assessed that this defence strategy is misguided. In the current era of modern warfare, he argued, what should be strengthened is defence technology and the professionalism of TNI soldiers as the main component in combat.
Al Araf cited the Russia-Ukraine conflict as illustrating how today's wars rely more heavily on technological sophistication. He argued that building numerous battalions would only burden state finances. The budget should instead be used to optimise the training of soldiers, whose capabilities currently remain below standard, and to replace the Indonesian military's ageing and obsolete primary weapons systems.
For Al Araf, the defence concept of building development battalions and two reserve component battalions in every region has lacked clear objectives from the outset. "Ultimately, this construction is merely a project," he said on Thursday, 12 February 2026.