Prabowo Expands Indonesia’s Military Presence with Hundreds of New Posts

Batujajar, West Java, En Indonesiaupdates – Against the backdrop of a world gripped by conflict, President Prabowo Subianto has taken a bold step to strengthen Indonesia’s defenses. On Sunday (August 10, 2025), he inaugurated hundreds of new military posts for the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), spanning all three service branches—Army, Navy, and Air Force.

In a ceremony held at the Special Forces Training and Education Center (Pusdiklatsus) in Batujajar, Prabowo unveiled the scale of the expansion: six Regional Military Commands, 14 Naval Regional Commands, three Air Force Regional Commands, and one Air Operations Command. The list continued with six Special Forces Command Groups, 20 Territorial Development Brigades, one Marine Infantry Brigade, one Rapid Reaction Troop Corps (Kopasgat) Regiment, 100 Territorial Development Battalions, five Marine Infantry Battalions, and five Kopasgat Commando Battalions.

Prabowo left no doubt about the reason behind the move.

“The world is surrounded by war in almost every region. Indonesia must have a very strong defense—there is no other choice!” he told the assembled troops.

The President also appointed new commanders, brigade leaders, and elite soldiers to lead these units, calling on them to take their place on the front lines.

“Lead from the front. Be at the most dangerous, most critical places—never lead from the back,” he instructed.

More than just strategy, Prabowo delivered a message about leadership and loyalty. He urged officers to guide their soldiers with firmness but without cruelty, and to protect them as if they were their own children.

“We are born from the people, we serve the people, we defend the people, and we are ready to die for the people. That is the TNI,” he declared, drawing applause from the ranks.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attended the event, arriving moments before the President. Both observed the military parade and troop formation, underscoring the symbolic importance of the day.

With this expansion, Indonesia signals its determination to safeguard sovereignty and stability, projecting strength in uncertain times.