As An Archipelago State, Chief of The Navy Staff: Indonesia Needs A Strong Defense System

As an archipelago country, according to Kasal Laksamana TNI Yudo Margono, Indonesia needs a strong defense system. (Photo Between)

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Navy (Kasal) Admiral National Armed Force (TNI) Yudo Margono said the challenges of Indonesia as an archipelagic country and the world's maritime axis in the future will be very large, so it requires a strong archipelagic state defense system.

"And it is proportional to the condition of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia which includes sea, air, and land and is able to deal with all potential threats", said Yudo when he was a keynote speaker at the 2021 Naval Command and Staff College (Seskoal) National Seminar with the theme 'Military Strategy for the Defense of the Archipelago State' online in Jakarta, Wednesday, June 23.

Thus, he continued, the defense system of the archipelagic state requires a military strategy whose formulation involves all components of the nation, both military and civilian.

"In this case, there needs to be synergy and cooperation between the TNI and academics as well as policymakers in the perspective of an archipelagic country", said Yudo.

Illustration-KRI Nanggala-402. (Photo: Antara)

Yudo said that the nature of the defense of archipelagic countries is that defense starts from the outermost line of national jurisdiction, one of which is based on the concept of a layered defense.

Indonesia as an archipelagic country consisting of 17.500 large and small islands must be maintained as a unit.

Therefore, said TNI Admiral Yudo Margono, this military strategy is directed at eliminating and destroying all threats throughout the archipelago both on land, sea, and air.

Currently, said the former Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command III (Pangkogabwilhan III), the TNI has 3 joint defense area commands, all three of which are coordinated and integrated and are responsible for threats that come from three trouble spots.

The Navy is also prepared and equipped to have 7 capabilities consisting of intelligence capabilities, defense capabilities, security capabilities, diplomacy capabilities, support capabilities, and the ability to control marine defense areas.

Next is a hydro-oceanographic survey and mapping capabilities which play an important role in providing hydro-oceanographic data for the benefit of navigational safety and of course to support the TNI's duties in war military operations and military operations other than war (OMSP).

He said that in dealing with military and hybrid threats, all national resources must be involved in the interest of national defense through four major joint operations in the marine dimension, namely joint sea operations, amphibious operations, administrative landing operations, and coastal defense operations, supported by reserve components and supporting components that have been trained and prepared.

Kasal added that this national seminar which is packaged in an academic framework requires critical thinking and deep understanding. "I hope the results of this national seminar can be useful for the progress of national development in the defense and maritime security sector in Indonesia", he said.

This is to formulate a military and defense strategy for the archipelagic state in order to realize Indonesia's vision as the world's maritime axis.

In addition, it can become knowledge for all participants, especially Seskoal student officers who will later bring fresh ideas to their service after graduating from this school.

Besides Kasal Admiral Yudo Margono, there were several speakers who were the speakers, including former Rector of the Defense University Lieutenant General TNI Retired Yoedhi Swastanto, Commander of the Armed Forces II Rear Admiral TNI Iwan Isnurwanto, Secretary of CSIS J Kristiadi, Assistant Chief of Staff Marshal of the Indonesian Armed Forces M Khairil Lubis, and military observers. Connie Rahakundini Bakrie.