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

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has proposed that integrated training and development exercises for the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) be held two to three times a year to strengthen personnel readiness, primary weapons systems (alutsista), and operational support. Sjafrie made the proposal after observing an integrated tri-service TNI exercise in Dabo Singkep, Lingga Regency, Riau Islands, on Wednesday. “Training programmes, both integrated and service-specific, should 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 to maintain the readiness of soldiers, equipment, and logistical support in facing various national defence challenges. He noted that more intensive training requires adequate budget support, making the presence of House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I leadership at the event important to support the financing needs of TNI exercises. In addition to increasing training frequency, the Ministry of Defence will also optimise the use of domestic defence industry products, including unmanned surveillance vehicles planned for use in securing border areas. Sjafrie stated that such technology would assist the TNI in detecting various illegal activities on land and at sea as part of strengthening the national defence system. He affirmed that developing the domestic defence industry is a form of government accountability in strengthening defence capabilities while supporting national self-sufficiency in primary weapons systems.