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Indonesia seeks stronger defense posture, geopolitical leverage
Newly appointed Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Muhammad Herindra talked with The Jakarta Post’s Dicky Christanto recently on topics surrounding that grand theme, on how Indonesia should respond to the current challenge, where we stand right now and what challenges lie ahead.
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Lt. Gen. Muhammad Herindra, a three-star general, has recently been appointed deputy defense minister. (JP/Kompas.com)
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contest for political influence between the global powerhouses of China and the Unites States, which often affects the interests of Southeast Asian countries, is one of the primary concerns for many countries in the region, including Indonesia. Therefore, Indonesia and its regional counterparts have been urged to come forward and take the initiative to play a greater role in keeping the region safe and sound and to mull strategic partnerships with those giants.
Newly appointed Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Muhammad Herindra talked with The Jakarta Post’s Dicky Christanto recently on topics surrounding that grand theme, on how Indonesia should respond to the current challenge, where we stand right now and what challenges lie ahead.
Herindra shares the military background of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, as both hail from the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus). Both are former Kopassus generals. Before being appointed as deputy defense minister, Herindra was the Indonesian Military’s Chief of general staff.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
Question: What is the Defense Ministry’s role for the country’s grand defense strategy?
Answer: In our government structure, the Defense Ministry plays a role as defense strategy developer, while the Indonesia Military headquarters play a supervisory role, and all three military branches are end users.
Where are we right now in our Minimum Essential Force strategy as a benchmark for our military defense posture?
