Indonesian Navy Discusses Plan to Form Sniper Battalion

Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali and Marine Corps Commander Major General Endi Supardi have discussed plans to form a sniper battalion. The proposal was considered alongside the need to acquire additional main weapons systems (alutsista).

The discussion took place during an internal Indonesian Navy meeting held by video conference on Monday (12 October). Endi and Marine Corps officials joined from the headquarters of the 4th Marine Combat Training Centre in Purboyo, South Malang. The meeting covered the need for additional weapons systems and plans to establish the sniper battalion.

The official Marine Corps statement, received and reported by Antara on Tuesday (13 October 2026), said the meeting discussed “the need to add main weapons systems (alutsista) and plans to form a sniper battalion”.

The plans are part of efforts to improve the Marine Corps’ combat capabilities. In addition to forming the sniper battalion and acquiring more weapons systems, the meeting also discussed plans to validate the organisation’s structure.

The organisational review includes adding Marine infantry brigades in several of Indonesia’s island regions.

The statement said the discussion also covered “plans to validate the organisation by adding Marine infantry brigades in several island regions of Indonesia to strengthen the defence posture”.

The Marine Corps has not provided details of the process for establishing the sniper battalion, including where it would be based. It has also not specified the number or types of weapons systems to be acquired.

Marine Corps Information Service chief Colonel Rana Karyana has likewise declined to provide further details about the proposed battalion, saying: “It is still under our review.”