Politics · Indonesia · 7 hrs ago
Indonesia’s defence minister urges development battalions to maintain combat skills
Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin urged soldiers in Lebak, Banten, to strengthen their skills during a visit to the 840th Development Infantry Battalion.
These battalions are expected to combine basic combat training with work that supports development, including farming, livestock, health care and construction.
Sjafrie said units should help local governments and address difficulties faced by nearby residents.
He said the plan is for development infantry battalions in all 514 districts and cities across Indonesia.
The units are also part of the military’s role in protecting the country’s sovereignty, and soldiers may be assigned to security duties in strategic areas.
Sjafrie called for faster construction of shooting ranges and other training facilities so soldiers are ready for both kinds of work.
Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin urged soldiers in development infantry battalions to maintain both combat and development skills.
He spoke during a visit to Battalion Infantry Territorial Development 840/Golok Sakti in Lebak, Banten.
The combat skills include marksmanship, self-defence and patrols.
Development work includes agriculture, livestock, health and construction.
Sjafrie said the battalions should help local governments and residents, while remaining ready for security assignments.
- Who
- Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and soldiers of Battalion Infantry Territorial Development 840/Golok Sakti.
- What
- Sjafrie urged the soldiers to maintain combat and development skills.
- When
- 3 November 2026.
- Where
- Battalion 840/Golok Sakti, Lebak district, Banten, Indonesia.
- Why
- To help local governments and residents and remain ready for development and security duties.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sjafrie visited Battalion 840/Golok Sakti in Lebak district, Banten.
Sjafrie met Lebak regent M. Hasbi Jayabaya and local government officials.
The battalion commander briefed Sjafrie on base readiness, training facilities and troop organization.
- Battalion
- Infantry Territorial Development 840/Golok Sakti
- Location
- Lebak district, Banten
- Combat skills
- Marksmanship, self-defence and patrols
- Development work
- Agriculture, livestock, health and construction
- Nationwide reach
- 514 regencies and cities
What people are saying
The presence of Development Territorial Infantry Battalions in all 514 regencies and cities in Indonesia must be optimized to help local governments and overcome the difficulties of the people around you.
As TNI soldiers, you were born from the people and are funded by the people. Therefore, it is an absolute obligation for every soldier to repay the services the people have given you.
Maintain discipline, foster unity without discriminating on the basis of ethnicity and religion, and apply the values of Sapta Marga, the Soldier’s Oath, and the Eight Obligations of the TNI in daily life.