Defence Minister Stresses Three Key Aspects to Face Future Military Challenges
Defence Minister General (Ret.) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has stressed the importance of cultivating military officers with adaptive and visionary leadership character. This is deemed crucial to enable the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) command ranks to respond to the dynamics of a global strategic environment that is changing ever more rapidly and complexly.
The strategic message was delivered by the Defence Minister during a briefing to 100 Student Officers of the 64th Air Force Staff and Command School (Seskoau) Class of 2026 at the Widya Mandala I Building, Seskoau, Lembang, West Bandung, on Wednesday (17/6/2026).
At the event, which was also directly attended by Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal M. Tonny Harjono, Sjafrie explained that the nation’s history of struggle is not merely a record of the past. History must be used as an active instrument and a primary source of inspiration to strengthen the fighting spirit and mentality of soldiers.
Sjafrie underlined three mutually integrated aspects that are absolute in shaping the capacity of a future military leader. First, continuous education by mastering tactical literacy, modern aerospace technology, and geo-strategy. Second, assignment experience by forging leadership mentality through dynamic field postings. Third, self-capacity development by being open to defence innovation without shedding the identity of a soldier.
“These three aspects form the main foundation for building visionary leaders who are able to adapt to change and ready to make strategic decisions amidst a highly dynamic global environment,” said Sjafrie.
According to an official statement from the Air Force Information Service, this briefing is part of a strategic curriculum to strengthen national insight, leadership quality, and professionalism among the officers. As future leaders, the 64th Seskoau Student Officers are being prepared to hold the command baton that will oversee the direction of Indonesia’s tactical air power transformation, including the modernisation of cyber defence systems and modern air defence weaponry.
The Defence Minister reminded that fundamental values such as patriotism, nationalism, and the highest professionalism must remain a dead doctrine underpinning every policy for defending the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.