Indonesian National Armed Forces


The Indonesian National Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of Indonesia. It consists of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The President of Indonesia is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. In 2016, it comprises approximately 395,500 military personnel including the Indonesian Marine Corps, which is a branch of the Navy.
Initially formed with the name of the People's Security Army, then later changed to the Republic of Indonesia Army before changing again its name to the Indonesian National Armed Forces to the present. The Indonesian Armed Forces was formed during the Indonesian National Revolution, when it undertook a guerrilla war along with informal militia. As a result of this, and the need to maintain internal security, the Armed forces including the Army, Navy, and Air Force has been organised along territorial lines, aimed at defeating internal enemies of the state and potential external invaders.
Under the 1945 Constitution, all citizens are legally entitled and obliged to defend the nation. Conscription is provided for by law, yet the Forces have been able to maintain mandated strength levels without resorting to a draft. Most enlisted personnel are recruited in their own home regions and generally train and serve most of their time in units nearby.
The Indonesian armed forces personnel does not include members of law enforcement and paramilitary personnel such as the Indonesian National Police consisting of approximately 590,000+ personnel, Mobile Brigade Corps of around 42,000+ armed personnel, the Civil Service Police Unit or Satpol PP, Indonesian College Students' Regiment or Resimen Mahasiswa which is a collegiate military service consisting 26,000 trained personnel, and civil defence personnel.

History

Before the formation of the Indonesian Republic, the military authority in the Dutch East Indies was held by the Royal Dutch East Indies Army and naval forces of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Although both the KNIL and KM were not directly responsible for the formation of the future Indonesian armed forces, and mainly took the role of foe during Indonesian National Revolution in 1945 to 1949, the KNIL had also provided military training and infrastructure for some of the future TNI officers and other ranks. There were military training centres, military schools and academies in the Dutch East Indies. Next to Dutch volunteers and European mercenaries, the KNIL also recruited indigenous, especially Ambonese, Kai Islanders, Timorese, and Minahasan people. In 1940, with the Netherlands under German occupation and the Japanese pressing for access to Dutch East Indies oil supplies, the Dutch had opened up the KNIL to large intakes of previously excluded Javanese. Some of the indigenous soldiers that had enjoyed Dutch KNIL military academy education would later become important TNI officers, like for example: Soeharto and Nasution.
Indonesian nationalism and militarism started to gain momentum and support in World War II during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia. To gain support from the Indonesian people in their war against the Western Allied force, Japan started to encourage and back Indonesian nationalistic movements by providing Indonesian youth with military training and weapons. On 3 October 1943, the Japanese military formed the Indonesian volunteer army called PETA. The Japanese intended PETA to assist their forces oppose a possible invasion by the Allies. The Japanese military training for Indonesian youth originally was meant to rally the local's support for the Japanese Empire, but later it became the significant resource for the Republic of Indonesia during the Indonesian National Revolution in 1945 to 1949. Many of these men who served in PETA, both officers and NCOs alike like Soedirman, formed majority of the personnel that would compose the future armed forces.
, first commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces
At first, Indonesian Armed Forces started out as the BKR, which was formed in the 3rd PPKI meeting, on 29 August 1945; this was an organisation of militias in a united nationwide force to ensure the security remained intact across the newly declared independent Indonesia; it was created more as a civil defence force than an armed forces. The decision to create a "security agency" and not an army, was taken to lessen the probability of the allied forces viewing it as an armed revolution and invading in full force. During their capitulation, one of the terms of surrender to Japan was to return the Asian domains they had conquered to the previous nation of the Allies, certainly not to liberate them independently.
When confrontations became sharp and hostile between Indonesia and the Allied forces, on 5 October 1945 the TKR was formed on the basis of existing BKR units; this was a move taken to formalise, unite, and organise the splintered pockets of independent troopers across Indonesia, ensuing a more professional military approach, to contend with the Netherlands and the Allied force invaders.
The Indonesian armed forces have seen significant action since their establishment in 1945. Their first conflict was the 1945–1949 Indonesian National Revolution, in which the 1945 Battle of Surabaya was especially important as the baptism of fire of the young armed forces.
In January 1946, TKR renamed as the Tentara Keselamatan Rakyat, then succeeded by TRI, in a further step to professionalise the armed forces and increase its ability to engage systematically.
In June 1947, the TRI, per a government decision, was renamed the TNI which is a merger between the TRI and the independent paramilitary organizations across Indonesia, becoming by 1950 the APRIS or National Military Forces of the Republic of the United States of Indonesia, by mid year the APRI or Military Forces of the Republic of Indonesia, absolving also native personnel from within both the former KNIL and KM within the expanded republic.
On 21 June 1962, the name "Tentara Nasional Indonesia" was changed to "Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia". The POLRI was integrated under the Armed Forces and changed its name to "Angkatan Kepolisian", and its commander maintained the concurrent status of Minister of Defence and Security, reporting to the President, who is commander in chief. The commanding generals and the Chief of the National Police then all held ministerial status as members of the cabinet of the republic, while a number of higher-ranking officers were appointed to other cabinet posts. On 1 July 1969, the Police Force's name was reverted to "POLRI".
After the fall of Suharto in 1998, the democratic and civil movement grew against the acute military role and involvements in Indonesian politics. As the result, the post-Soeharto Indonesian military has undergone certain reforms, such as the revocation of the Dwifungsi doctrine and the terminations of military controlled business. The reforms also involved law enforcement in common civil society, which questioned the position of Indonesian police under the military corps umbrella. These reforms led to the separation of the police force from the military. In April 1999, the Indonesian National Police officially regained its independence and now is a separate entity from the armed forces proper. The official name of the Indonesian military also changed from "Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia" back to "Tentara Nasional Indonesia".

Future plans

In the Beginning of 2010, the Indonesian government seeks to strengthen the TNI to achieve minimum standards of minimum strength. The MEF is divided into three strategic plan stages, 2010–2014, 2015–2019, and 2020–2024. Initially the government budgeted Rp156 trillion for the provision of TNI's main weapon system equipment in the MEF period 2010–2014.

Naming history

The Indonesian military philosophy over-riding defence of the archipelago is summarily civilian-military defence, called "Total People's Defence"- consisting of a three-stage war: a short initial period in which invader would defeat a conventional Indonesian military, a long period of territorial guerrilla war followed by a final stage of expulsion- with military acting as a rallying point for defence from grass-roots village level upwards. The doctrine relies on a close bond between villager and soldier to encourage the support of the entire population and enable the military to manage all war-related resources.
The civilian population would provide logistical support, intelligence, and upkeep with some trained to join the guerrilla struggle. The armed forces regularly engage in large-scale community and rural development. The "Armed Forces Enters the Village" program, begun in 1983 is held three times annually to organise and assist construction and development of civilian village projects.
The current developments in Indonesia's defence policies are framed within the concept of achieving "Minimum Essential Force" or MEF by 2024. This concept of MEF was first articulated in Presidential Decree No. 7/2008 on General Policy Guidelines on State Defence Policy which came into effect on 26 January 2008. MEF is defined as a capability based defence and force level that can guarantee the attainment of immediate strategic defence interests, where the procurement priority is given to the improvement of minimum defence strength and/or the replacement of outdated main weapon systems/equipments. To achieve this aim, MEF had been restructured into a series of 3 strategic programmes with timeframes from 2010 to 2014, 2015 to 2019 and 2020 to 2024 as well as spending of up the 1.5 – 2% of the GDP.
The identity of the Indonesian National Armed forces is is the TNI must aim to become the:
  1. People's Military Forces, the armed forces whose serving personnel come from Indonesian citizens from all walks of life;
  2. Military of Warriors, which are soldiers who fought to establish the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and do not recognize surrender in carrying out and completing its duties;
  3. National Armed Forces, the Indonesian national armed forces who serve in the interest of the country and her people over the interests of the regions/provinces, ethnic groups, races, and religions;
  4. Professional Armed Forces, a military force that is well-trained, well-educated, well-equipped, non-practicable, prohibited to do business and guaranteed welfare, and following the country's political policies that embrace democratic principles, civil supremacy, human rights, the provisions of national law and international laws in force, as ratified and approved in the 1999–2003 amendments to the Constitution.

    Organisation

The Indonesian armed forces have long been organised around territorial commands. Following independence, seven were established by 1958. No central reserve formation was formed until 1961. It was only after the attempted coup d'état of 1 October 1965 and General Suharto's rise to the presidency that it became possible to integrate the armed forces and begin to develop a joint operations structure.
Following a decision in 1985, major reorganization separate the Ministry of Defense and Security from the "ABRI" headquarters and staff. MoDS was made responsible for planning, acquisition, and management tasks but had no command or control of troop units. The "ABRI" commander in chief retained command and control of all armed forces and continued by tradition to be the senior military officer in the country, while continuing to be a part of the cabinet.
The administrative structure of Ministry of Defense and Security consisted of a minister, deputy minister, secretary general, inspector general, three directorates-general and a number of functional centers and institutes. The minister, deputy minister, inspector general, and three directors general were retired senior military officers; the secretary general and most functional center chiefs were, as is the case today, active-duty military officers, while employees and staff were personnel of the armed forces and of the civil service.
The 1985 reorganisation also made significant changes in the armed forces chain of command. The four multi-service Regional Defense Commands and the National Strategic Command were eliminated from the defense structure, establishing the Military Regional Command, or area command, as the key organisation for strategic, tactical, and territorial operations for all services. The chain of command flowed directly from the "ABRI" commander in chief to the ten "Kodam" commanders, and then to subordinate army territorial commands. The former territorial commands of the air force and navy were eliminated from the structure altogether, with each of those services represented on the "Kodam" staff by a senior liaison officer. The navy and air force territorial commands were replaced by operational commands. The air force formed two Operational Commands while the navy had its two Fleet Commands, the Western and Eastern Armadas. The air force's National Air Defense Command remained under the "ABRI" commander in chief. It had an essentially defensive function that included responsibility for the early warning system.
After Suharto's presidential era collapsed in 1998, the Indonesian National Police was separated from the Armed Forces making the Indonesian Armed Forces under the direct auspices command of the Ministry of Defense and the Police Force under the direct auspices of the President of Indonesia. Before 1998, the Armed Forces of Indonesia was composed of four service branches: Indonesian Army, Indonesian Navy, Indonesian Air Force, and the Indonesian National Police. Then after 1998, the Armed Forces' name, in 1999, was changed to TNI literally meaning: "The National Military of Indonesia" and the independent Indonesian Police Force changed its name to POLRI literally meaning: "The National Police Force of Indonesia". Now specifically, although the Armed Forces of Indonesia and the National Police of Indonesia has been separated, they still cooperate and conduct special duties and tasks together for the sake of the national security and integrity of Indonesia.
On 13 May 2018, Commander Hadi Tjahjanto reorganized the armed forces once more by inaugurating 4 new military units: Kostrad 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Fleet Command, 3rd Air Force Operational Command and Marine Force III. The new military units are intended to reduce response time against any threats and problems in Eastern Indonesia. He also officially renamed the Western and Eastern Fleet Commands to 1st and 2nd Fleet Commands.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces is structured into the following in accordance with article 9 of Presidential decree No. 66/ 2019. Indonesian National Armed Forces organization consist of the following:
  1. General Headquarters, National Armed Forces
  2. # Army Headquarters
  3. # Navy Headquarters
  4. # Air Force Headquarters

    Leadership elements

and :id:Daftar Wakil Panglima Tentara Nasional Indonesia|Deputy Commander of Indonesian National Armed Forces serve as the elements of leadership in the Indonesia National Armed Forces, both position are held by the four-star General/Admiral/Air Marshall appointed by and reporting directly to the President of Indonesia, who is overall commander-in-chief of the armed forces. As of Nov 2019, position of deputy commander is still vacant.

Auxiliary elements of leadership

  1. Chief of the General Staff of the TNI
  2. Inspector General of the TNI
  3. TNI Expert Advisor
  4. TNI Advisor for Strategic Policy and General Planning
  5. TNI Intelligence Advisor;
  6. TNI Operations Advisor
  7. TNI Personnel Advisor
  8. TNI Logistics Advisor
  9. TNI Territorial Advisor
  10. TNI Communications and Electronics Advisor

    Service Elements

  11. Military psychology Center
  12. Communications and Electronics Unit
  13. Operational Control Center
  14. Bureaucratic Reform Center
  15. Office of the Secretariat General
  16. GHQ Detachment

    Central Executive Agencies

  17. Staff and Command Colleges
  18. # Army Command and General Staff College
  19. # Naval Command and Staff College
  20. # Air Force Command and Staff College
  21. Armed Forces Academy
  22. #Military Academy Magelang
  23. #Naval Academy Surabaya
  24. #Air Force Academy Yogyakarta
  25. Strategic Intelligence Agency
  26. Education, Training and Doctrine Development Command
  27. Special Operations Command
  28. Presidential Security Forces
  29. Legal Service and General Counsel Agency
  30. Public Relations Center
  31. Health Center
  32. Military Police Center
  33. Finance Center
  34. Peacekeeping Maintenance Missions Center
  35. Strategic Assessment and R&D Center
  36. Logistics Agency
  37. Chaplaincy Center
  38. Military Historical Center
  39. Information and Communications Technologies and Data Processing Center
  40. International Cooperation Center
  41. Physical Fitness and Military Regulations Center
  42. Procurement Center
  43. Maritime Information Center
  44. General Headquarters Garrison
  45. Cyber Operations Unit

    Principal Operational Commands

  46. Defense Joint Service Regional Command
  47. Army Strategic Command
  48. Fleet Forces Commands
  49. National Air Operations Commands
  50. Naval Hydro-Oceanographic Center
  51. Regional Military Commands
  52. Special Forces Command
  53. Military Sealift Command
  54. Marine Corps

    Branches

In the immediate aftermath of 2018 Surabaya bombings, President Widodo has agreed to revive the TNI Joint Special Operations Command to assist the National Police in antiterrorism operations under certain conditions. This joint force is composed of special forces of the National Armed Forces as mentioned above, and is under the direct control of the Commander of the National Armed Forces. On July 2019, President Widodo officially formed the Armed Forces Special Operations Command which comprised 400 personnel each from Sat-81 Gultor of Kopassus, Denjaka, and Den Bravo of Paskhas to conduct special operations to protect national interests within or outside Indonesian territory.

Budget

Military spending in the national budget was widely estimated 3% of GDP in 2005, but is supplemented by revenue from many military-run businesses and foundations. The defence budget for 2017 was $8.17bn.
Beeson and Bellamy wrote in 2002 that: '..By some estimates 60–65% of the military's actual operating expenses come from 'off-budget sources' rather than the government. This is a euphemism for a host of legal and illegal practices that include legitimate involvement in state-owned and private businesses, as well as a range of activities in the 'black economy.' An estimated 30% of government funding of the military 'is lost through corruption in the process of buying military equipment and supplies.''
In addition, the territorial commands are responsible for 'the bulk of their operational fund-raising.'
Fiscal YearBudget Budget
2005Rp 21.97 trillionUSD 2.5 billion
2006Rp 23.6 trillionUSD 2.6 billion
2007Rp 32.6 trillionUSD 3.4 billion
2008Rp 36.39 trillionUSD 3.8 billion
2009Rp 33.6 trillionUSD 3.3 billion
2010Rp 42.3 trillionUSD 4.47 billion
2011Rp 47.5 trillionUSD 5.2 billion
2012Rp 64.4 trillionUSD 7.5 billion
2013Rp 81.8 trillionUSD 8.44 billion
2014Rp 83.4 trillionUSD 7.91 billion
2015Rp 95.5 trillionUSD 8.05 billion
2016Rp 99.5 trillionUSD 7.3 billion
2017Rp 109.3 trillionUSD 8.17 billion
2018Rp 108. trillionUSD 8. billion
2019Rp 121 trillionUSD 9.1 billion
2020Rp 131 trillionUSD 9.35 billion

Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces

Personnel

The Indonesian armed forces are voluntary. The active military strength is 395,500 with available manpower fit for military service of males aged between 16 and 49 is 75,000,000, with a further 4,500,000 new suitable for service annually.

Rank structures

In the Indonesian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Police Force, the rank consists of officer known as in Indonesian: "Perwira", NCO: "Bintara" and enlisted: "Tamtama". The rank titles of the Marine Corps are the same as those of the Army, but it still uses the Navy's style insignia.

Armed Forces Pledge (''Sapta Marga'')

The Armed Forces Pledge is a pledge of loyalty and fidelity of the military personnel to the government and people of Indonesia and to the principles of nationhood.
Original IndonesianEnglish
1. Kami Warga Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia yang bersendikan Pancasila.We, citizens of the unitary Republic of Indonesia, believe thus in Pancasila.
2. Kami Patriot Indonesia, pendukung serta pembela Ideologi Negara yang bertanggung jawab dan tidak mengenal menyerah.We, patriots of Indonesia, do support and defend the national ideology that we are responsible of and thus do not recognize surrender.
3. Kami Kesatria Indonesia, yang bertaqwa kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, serta membela kejujuran, kebenaran dan keadilan.We, the warriors of Indonesia, who believe in the One True God, are committed to defend honesty, truth and justice.
4. Kami Prajurit Tentara Nasional Indonesia, adalah Bhayangkari Negara dan Bangsa Indonesia.We, servicemen and women of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, therefore serve as the protectors of the Indonesian nation and people.
5. Kami Prajurit Tentara Nasional Indonesia, memegang teguh disiplin, patuh dan taat kepada pimpinan serta menjunjung tinggi sikap dan kehormatan prajurit.We, servicemen and women of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, strive to uphold military discipline, obedience and subordination to authority and the strength and honor of service personnel.
6. Kami Prajurit Tentara Nasional Indonesia, mengutamakan keperwiraan di dalam melaksanakan tugas, serta senantiasa siap sedia berbakti kepada Negara dan Bangsa.We, servicemen and women of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, prioritize its leadership in carrying out our duties, and thus are ready to dedicate ourselves to the nation in which we serve.
7. Kami Prajurit Tentara Nasional Indonesia, setia dan menepati janji serta Sumpah Prajurit.And we, servicemen and women of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, will do our best to uphold our faithful loyalty and fidelity to our Oath of Enlistment/Commissioning.