Defence Minister Sjafrie: TNI Combat Strength Fulfilled, from Weaponry to Ammunition

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has stated that the Indonesian National Armed Forces’ (TNI) requirements for primary weapon systems (alutsista) and ammunition are beginning to be fulfilled, following the government’s strengthening of national defence capability development. Sjafrie made the statement after reviewing an integrated tri-service TNI exercise in Lingga Regency, Riau Islands, on Wednesday, 8 August 2026. ‘I have directly observed that the TNI’s combat strength, from weaponry to management quality and ammunition needs ranging from small to large calibres, has been met,’ he said. According to Sjafrie, the exercise results demonstrated the TNI’s ability to address challenges in safeguarding the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia through the readiness of both personnel and combat equipment. He noted that this condition differs from several years ago, when the TNI still faced various limitations, particularly in terms of weaponry and ammunition availability. In addition to assessing weaponry readiness, Sjafrie mentioned that the exercise objectives designed by the TNI were successfully achieved through the joint field training. He stated that this achievement is part of the revitalisation of national defence force development, which the government continues to pursue throughout 2026. Previously, one of the exercise materials tested air infiltration capabilities through the deployment of an Airborne Operations Advance Group (KDOL) around the drop zone at Dabo Singkep Airport, involving a CN-235 aircraft from Air Squadron 27 Biak, the Rapid Reaction Force Corps (Korpasgat), and Infantry Battalion 328.