Defence Minister Sjafrie Proposes TNI Training and Development Three Times a Year, Here's Why

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

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

“Training programmes, both integrated and development training 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 training is necessary to ensure that the readiness of soldiers, military equipment, and logistical support is maintained in facing various national defence challenges.

He said that more intensive training requires adequate budget support. Therefore, the presence of the leadership of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the event was considered important to support the financing needs of TNI training.

In addition to increasing the frequency of training, 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.

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

He stressed that the development of the domestic defence industry is a form of government accountability in strengthening defence capabilities while supporting national self-reliance in military equipment.