Synergy is Pivotal in Building Defense Forces, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi leads a ceremony to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (5/10). (Photo by: Public Relations/Agung)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo highlighted that synergy and cooperation between the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and various elements of the nation are the key to building a defense force.

“Synergy is the key to building a stronger and more effective defense force,” the President stated in his message at the ceremony to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the TNI, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (5/10).

On the occasion, President Jokowi said that in facing the changing and dynamic global conditions, transformation in the TNI organization is required. “The transformation of the TNI organization must continue to be carried out in accordance with the dynamics of strategic environment, the dynamics of threats, and the developments in military technology,” he said.

In the past five years, the President went on to say, the TNI has carried out a significant organizational transformation and formed new organizational units to support this, including the Division 3 of the Army Reserve Strategic Command (Kostrad), Air Force Operations Command III, Fleet Command III, Marine Forces 3, Joint Regional Defense Commands, Air Force Drone Squadrons, and TNI Cyber ​​Units.

The formation of these new organizational units is a form of the Government’s commitment to continue to transform the TNI organization so that the TNI will be stronger in carrying out its role,” the President said.

The organizational transformation, the President said, must be supported by the transformation of technology and personnel. The TNI must be able to adapt amid the military technological leaps that will affect future war tactics and strategies. “To master the latest military technological leap, we must be serious about changing our policies, from defense spending policies to defense investment,” he added.

The defense investment policy, President Jokowi stated, must be systematically designed and implemented consistently and sustainably in the long term. “Only through planned long-term defense investment will the TNI be able to become a modern war force that keeps up with the most advanced technological developments,” he said.

The President also emphasized the importance of having the character of a fighter in the soul of TNI soldiers in order for them to be able to transform and ensure readiness in answering the call of duty.

“The character of a fighter who is always ready to synergize, to work hand in hand with various elements of the nation, to synergize between corps, between military branches, and between agencies, as well as to maintain synergy between the TNI and the National Police (Polri),” the President said. (MAY/UN)

Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Mia M. Bonaedy