Bandung — President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has underscored the need for Indonesia to maintain a strong defense in the face of an increasingly uncertain global situation.
Delivering his address at the Operational Troop Review and Military Honors Ceremony at Suparlan Field, Pusdiklatpassus, Batujajar, on Sunday (10/8), Prabowo urged young soldiers never to forget the nation’s history. He recalled Indonesia’s past under colonial rule, where its people were enslaved and treated worse than animals.
“Never forget your history. That is why our nation needs a strong army. No country can be free without a strong army. I repeat, no country can be free without a strong army,” he said.
Prabowo warned that today’s global challenges are increasingly complex and unpredictable, with external forces seeking to disrupt Indonesia’s progress.
“Every time we rise, we are disturbed. Every time we strive to prosper our people, we are disturbed. Our wealth is plundered, and we are pitted against each other,” he noted.
He stressed the need to strengthen national defense to safeguard the nation’s territory, sovereignty, and resources.
“We must defend our territory, our sovereignty, and our wealth,” he asserted.
Describing the current world as full of uncertainty, Prabowo pointed to ongoing wars in various parts of the globe.
“We see how weak nations are treated — the elderly, mothers, and children are slaughtered,” he said.
Prabowo reaffirmed that Indonesia will not align with any geopolitical bloc, but this stance necessitates a robust defense.
“Indonesia will not side with any bloc, but for that reason, we have no other choice. Indonesia must have a very strong defense. That is why today I am appointing six new regional military commanders, 20 new brigade commanders, and 100 new Territorial Development Battalions,” he concluded.
On this occasion, Prabowo conferred the Honorary Four-Star General rank, installed General Tandyo Budi Revita as Deputy Commander of the TNI, awarded the Honorary Four-Star General rank to 10 recipients, the Bintang Sakti Medal of Honor to two recipients, and an Honorary Rank to one individual for exceptional dedication and integrity.
The ceremony also marked the inauguration of several new TNI units, including six Army Regional Commands, 14 Naval Regional Commands, three Air Force Regional Commands, one Air Operations Command, six Special Forces Command Groups, 20 Territorial Development Brigades, one Marine Infantry Brigade, one Pasgat Corps Regiment, 100 Territorial Development Battalions, five Marine Infantry Battalions, and five Rapid Deployment Force Battalions.
The troop review involved 27,384 personnel, supported by 152 tactical vehicles with 388 crew members, as well as 124 defense assets comprising 34 from the Army, 24 from the Navy, and 66 from the Air Force.
