The Indonesian Army | Halek Hossain

 

The Indonesian Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat or TNI-AD) is one of the three branches of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, or TNI), along with the Navy and the Air Force. It is the largest branch, which plays an important role in Indonesia's defense and political history. Here are some key aspects:

1. History:

Formation: The Indonesian Army was officially formed on October 5, 1945, shortly after Indonesia declared independence from the Netherlands on August 17, 1945. The military initially arose from local militia groups and guerrilla forces that fought against Dutch colonial powers during the Indonesian War of Independence. .

Role in National Politics: Throughout much of Indonesia's modern history, particularly during the Suharto era (1967–1998), the military was deeply involved in the country's politics. The military follows a "dual function" (duifungsi) doctrine that allows it to exert influence in both the military and civilian spheres. The Indonesian military was the main power base of Suharto's authoritarian New Order regime.

Era of Reform: After the resignation of Suharto in 1998, Indonesia entered a period of democratization and significant reforms were introduced to reduce the political role of the military. The military formally withdraws from politics, although its influence continues in various areas.

2. Structure and Organization:

Personnel: The Indonesian military has over 300,000 active personnel, making it the largest in Southeast Asia.

Combat Units: The army is divided into several combat units including infantry, artillery, cavalry, engineers and special forces.

Territorial Command: TNI-AD operates through a system of regional commands, each responsible for different regions across Indonesia. These commands are structured to maintain a strong presence across the country.

3. Special Forces:

Kopasas: The Indonesian Army has an elite special forces unit called Kopasas (Komando Pasukan Khusus), which specializes in counter-terrorism, guerrilla warfare, and unconventional operations. The Copas have been involved in both domestic and international operations and are considered the most capable special forces unit in the region.

4. Role in Internal Security:

The Indonesian military has historically played a prominent role in internal security, particularly in regions with separatist movements such as Aceh, Papua, and formerly East Timor. The army is involved in counter-insurgency and stabilization operations, although it has faced allegations of human rights abuses in some of these areas.

5. Modernization:

The Indonesian army has been undergoing a process of modernization in recent years, aimed at improving its equipment and capabilities. Indonesia acquired new tanks, helicopters, artillery and small arms to improve both defensive and peacekeeping capabilities.

6. Peacekeeping Operations:

The Indonesian military has made significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions around the world. Indonesia is one of the largest contributors to peacekeeping troops, with personnel deployed to countries such as Lebanon, Congo and South Sudan under the UNIFIL and MONUSCO missions.

7. Civil-Military Relations:

In the post-Suharto era, the military's political influence has declined, but it still maintains strong ties to civilian institutions, particularly through regional command structures, which enable it to influence local politics and the economy.

In short, the Indonesian Army is an important institution in Indonesia's defense, internal security and political development. Although its direct involvement in politics has declined, it remains a significant actor in shaping Indonesia's strategic and security landscape.