What's the Reason Behind TNI's New Expansion?

What’s the Reason Behind TNI’s New Expansion?

Reporter

October 5, 2026 | 06:14 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto explained the reasoning behind the military unit expansion launched by President Prabowo Subianto today, October 5, 2026. According to him, the expansion is part of the military’s bid to realize the total defense doctrine.

The Indonesian military launched six new regional military commands (Kodam) and 198 new military units.

Agus stated that Indonesia is a large nation with “17,000 islands that we must secure.”

“In fact, the law stipulates that we must maintain territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said after the 81st Anniversary celebrations at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Monday, October 5, 2026.

The TNI commander maintained that the military has the responsibility not to yield Indonesia’s many uninhabited islands to other countries. Therefore, Agus stated that the TNI must pre-emptively prepare personnel and the main defense system equipment before Indonesia’s sovereignty is compromised.

The additional TNI units also serve to strengthen the Territorial Development Infantry Battalion (Yonif TP), of which Prabowo inaugurated 150 new Yonif TP.

Established in August last year, Yonif Tp is tasked with assisting the country’s development programs, including food production. “They can plant crops, help grow rice, and so on,” Agus said.

These activities, he said, are aimed to benefit the people. “There are swathes of idle land that we must manage well to benefit the people,” Agus said.

Prabowo inaugurated 204 new TNI units during the 81st anniversary celebrations at TNI Headquarters on Monday. These include 6 regional military commands (Kodam), 30 Territorial Development Infantry Brigades, 150 Territorial Development Infantry Battalions, and three Combat Support Battalions.