The Indonesian government plans to establish a fourth military branch dedicated to cyber defense.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered the launch of the segment, according to Jakarta’s news agency Antara, with National Armed Forces Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto confirming this in a recent meeting with the House of Representatives.
The branch will add to an existing cyber unit that is already “highly dependent on the capability of human resources.”
“I have been ordered by the president, following his speech at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), to create the cyber military force,” Subiyanto stated.
The framework for a new cybersecurity body will involve the integration of centers in each military branch and all primary armed forces headquarters.
Recruits for the program will include civilians, with the majority to be sourced from high school and university graduates, according to the general.
Strategy on Track
Jakarta’s initiative follows evaluations by government officials and cybersecurity experts to form a fourth military branch specializing in the digital domain.
The effort is expected to adapt Indonesia’s defense assets to the evolving “cyber war” and further protect the country’s economy.
In July 2024, discussions intensified after the nation encountered its largest cyber attack, which affected major airports, immigration operations, and about 230 public agencies.
Cooperation With US
Before this recent announcement, Indonesia signed a bilateral defense agreement with the US Department of Defense to heighten the Southeast Asian country’s cyber competitiveness.
The partnership allows for continuous proficiency programs related to cyberspace, with additional applications to be explored for future tools and objectives.
“Cyber is one of those areas where you don’t have to be an enormous country with a significant inventory of armament,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin commented on the teaming agreement.
“You can bring capability to the table in the cyber domain even if you’re a smaller country with limited capability.”