Defence Minister Proposes TNI Exercises Be Held Two to Three Times a Year

Batam (ANTARA) - Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has proposed that integrated exercises and TNI development be carried out two to three times a year to strengthen the readiness of personnel, primary weapons defence systems (alutsista) and operational support.

Sjafrie made the proposal after observing an integrated exercise involving the three TNI service branches in Dabo Singkep, Lingga Regency, Riau Islands, on Wednesday.

“Exercise programmes, whether integrated or development exercises within each service branch, must not be conducted only once a year. We will carry out these exercises two or three times a year,” he said.

According to Sjafrie, increasing the frequency of exercises is necessary so that soldiers’ readiness, alutsista and logistical support are maintained in facing various national defence challenges.

He said that more intensive exercise implementation requires adequate budgetary support. For this reason, the presence of the leadership of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the event was considered important to support the funding needs of TNI exercises.

In addition to increasing the frequency of exercises, the Defence Ministry will also optimise the use of domestic defence industry products, including unmanned surveillance vehicles planned for use in securing border areas.

According to Sjafrie, the technology will support the TNI in detecting various illegal activities on land and at sea as part of strengthening the national defence system.

He emphasised that developing the domestic defence industry is a form of government responsibility in strengthening defence capabilities while supporting the self-reliance of the national alutsista.