TNI Commander Explains Reasons for Forming 204 New Units, Including Development Territorial Battalions

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto has explained the reasoning behind the formation of 204 new units, stating that it is an effort to maintain Indonesia’s sovereignty.

“It is part of the total people’s defence. We must defend our islands, and we have so many islands. There are 17,000 islands that we must secure. This is actually stipulated in the law,” said Agus at the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Monday (5/10/2026).

Agus noted that the new units will be distributed across even the smallest islands, emphasising that uninhabited islands must also be guarded.

“We must maintain territorial integrity and sovereignty. Therefore, the troops we have will be deployed even to the smallest islands. We must ensure that our many uninhabited islands are not taken by other nations, which would compromise our sovereignty,” he said.

“To prevent that, we are preparing. We are preparing personnel and military equipment so that we are truly secure. We are securing territorial integrity and protecting the people,” Agus continued.

Agus then explained the structure of the newly formed Development Territorial Battalions (Yon TP). He stated that there are nine companies, four of which are production companies intended to support agricultural activities.

“Specifically regarding the Yon TP, there are nine companies. Four of those are production companies capable of planting, such as assisting with rice cultivation, and so on, for the benefit of the community,” he said.

According to Agus, all activities carried out by the Yon TP are aimed at the interests of the public, including the optimisation of unutilised land to ensure productivity.

“Everything we do is for the community. There is a lot of idle land that we must manage well, so that the results benefit the people,” he added.

It is noted that President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated the 204 new units during the 81st Anniversary ceremony of the TNI. These units consist of six Regional Military Commands (Kodam), one Parako II Pasgat Division, one Marine Infantry Brigade, one Pasgat Parako Brigade, 30 Development Territorial Infantry Brigades, and 150 Development Territorial Infantry Battalions.

Other new units include three Army Combat Support Battalions, comprising one cavalry battalion, one field artillery battalion, and one air defence artillery battalion. President Prabowo also inaugurated four Marine Infantry Battalions, three Pasgat Parako Battalions, two Air Force Air Squadrons, two Air Force Radar Units, and one Air Force Training Squadron.