Ministry of Defence Targets Construction of 150 Territorial Development Battalions Annually

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan) targets building 150 Territorial Development Battalions (Yon TP) each year. “And the plan is to build 150 Territorial Development Battalions every year,” said the Head of the Defence Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, when met at the Ministry of Defence in Jakarta on Friday (24/4/2026). This construction plan was also outlined by Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and TNI Commander General TNI Agus Subiyanto during their meeting with retired TNI generals on Friday morning. Meanwhile, the Head of the Army Public Relations Service (Kadispenad), Brigadier General TNI Donny Pramono, previously revealed that there are currently around 30 Territorial Development Brigades (BTP) and 155 Territorial Development Battalions (Yon TP). Donny stated that the formation of these units is being carried out gradually in accordance with the established plan. “So, we convey that to date, the number of units deployed is around 30 Territorial Development Brigades (BTP) and 155 Territorial Development Battalions (Yon TP),” Donny explained when confirmed on Thursday (23/4/2026). The Indonesian Army targets the formation of around 750 units, consisting of 593 Yon TP as well as 157 combat support and administrative support units. “All of this will be carried out gradually, measurably, and based on regional needs, in accordance with the planning of TNI Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence,” he emphasised. To meet this target, the Indonesian Army’s territorial units are currently preparing land and supporting facilities for the development of Yon TP to ensure the expansion process runs more optimally. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin once stated that the Yonif TP inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto does not have a single task as infantry. Sjafrie mentioned that Yonif TP also has the task of supporting Indonesia’s economic development, in addition to the general duties of infantry soldiers, namely to search for, detect, and destroy the enemy. “The Territorial Development Battalion is essentially an Infantry Battalion. The Infantry Battalion’s task is to search for, detect, and destroy the enemy,” said Sjafrie in Jempang, West Kutai, East Kalimantan, on 13 January 2026. “Meanwhile, the Territorial Development task is an additional duty to support our economic development. So, there are two. The left hand for the Infantry Battalion’s interests, the right hand for development interests,” he continued.