Indonesia expands TNI with six new commands and 198 units to safeguard its islands

At the TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, General Agus Subiyanto outlined a major restructuring of the Indonesian military, adding six new regional commands (Kodam) and 198 additional units. The expansion, announced by President Prabowo Subianto on October 5, is presented as essential to Indonesia’s total defence doctrine and the protection of its 17,000 islands. Subiyanto emphasized the legal duty to maintain territorial integrity and to prevent other nations from claiming uninhabited islands.

The president also launched 204 new formations, comprising new Kodam, Territorial Development Infantry Brigades, battalions and combat-support units. A key focus of the new battalions is the Territorial Development Infantry Battalion (Yonif TP) program, which supports national development tasks such as crop planting and rice production on unused land, aiming to benefit local communities.