Indonesian Army The Indonesian Army ( id, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD), ) is the land branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. It has an estimated strength of 300,000 active personnel. The history of the Indonesian Army has its ...

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions ...

militia A militia () is generally an army or some other fighting organization of non-professional soldiers, citizens of a country, or subjects of a state, who may perform military service during a time of need, as opposed to a professional force of r ...

International Institute for Strategic Studies The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is a British research institute or think tank in the area of international affairs. Since 1997, its headquarters have been Arundel House in London, England. The 2017 Global Go To Think ...

KOSTRAD The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

portmanteau A portmanteau word, or portmanteau (, ) is a blend of wordsyon infanteri" ('infantry battalion'). They are also commonly referred to by their battalion nicknames, for example: 511th Infantry Battalion - ''"Dibyatama Yudha"''.

Organization

The

Infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...

Branch is the principal and major unit of the Indonesian army combat element. The Infantry element is the largest and main combat troops within the Indonesian army.

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

and

Kopassus The Kopassus ( id, Komando Pasukan Khusus, Special Forces Command) is an Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) special forces group that conducts special operations missions for the Indonesian government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabot ...

are all part of this branch although it also consists of non-infantry units internally. In Indonesia, there are more than 100 Infantry

Battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions a ...

s spread throughout the country.

Green beret The green beret was the official headdress of the British Commandos of the Second World War. It is still worn by members of the Royal Marines after passing the Commando Course, and personnel from other units of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF wh ...

s are worn by Indonesian Army infantrymen. The Infantry Branch of the Indonesian Army are under the auspices of the Infantry Branch Centre ("Pussenif") which is under the command of a

Lieutenant general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...

. The Infantry branch of the Indonesian Army consists of huge numbers of units whereas the

International Institute for Strategic Studies The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is a British research institute or think tank in the area of international affairs. Since 1997, its headquarters have been Arundel House in London, England. The 2017 Global Go To Think ...

' Military Balance 2007 lists the Army with 2 brigades, (6 battalions), plus 60 other battalions in each

Military district Military districts (also called military regions) are formations of a state's armed forces (often of the Army) which are responsible for a certain area of territory. They are often more responsible for administrative than operational matters, and ...

s ("Kodam") and nine battalions in

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

. The elite infantry

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions ...

s of the Indonesian Army are called "Raider Battalions" (raised on 2003) which are specially trained in

Raid Raid, RAID or Raids may refer to: Attack * Raid (military), a sudden attack behind the enemy's lines without the intention of holding ground * Corporate raid, a type of hostile takeover in business * Panty raid, a prankish raid by male college ...

and Air assault operations (including

counter-terrorism Counterterrorism (also spelled counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, incorporates the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or ...

, Extraction, Guerrilla and

Close combat Close combat means a violent physical confrontation between two or more opponents at short range.''MCRP 3-02B: Close Combat'', Washington, D.C.: Department Of The Navy, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, 12 February 1999Matthews, Phil, CQB ...

operations). By strength and capabilities, 1 battalion of Raider infantry is equal to 3 regular infantry battalions combined. There are currently about 49 raider battalions in the Indonesian Army Infantry branch, with the strength of 650 to 800 men per-battalion. It is larger compared to regular infantry battalions which only consists about 450 to 570 infantrymen. Even as the Chief of Staff of the Army (Kasad) is planning in the future to qualify all Infantry battalions (except mechanized) as "Raider"-ready, there are now mechanized battalions which are "Raider"-qualified in addition to their mechanized role. Infantry battalions in the Indonesian Army originates from different combat organisations or corps, there are several infantry battalions part of

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

and some are part of the territorial military commands (Kodams), the same case also falls to Raider Infantry battalions. Currently, there are now 3 Airborne infantry brigades in the Indonesian Army which are all " Raider" qualified (called as: Para-raider), and are all part of the

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

. The Infantry beret colors of the Indonesian army are as shown below: * Regular Infantry soldiers wear: Light Green Beret with crossed-rifle insignia *

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

infantrymen wear: Dark Green Beret with Kostrad emblem, (Airborne units are added a paratrooper wing insignia on the beret) * Raider infantrymen wear: Dark Green beret with bayonet emblem *

Mechanized Infantry Mechanized infantry are infantry units equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs) or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also mechanized force). As defined by the United States Army, mechanized infantry is di ...

men wear: Dark Green beret with Mechanized Infantry emblem There are today 5 types of Infantry battalions in the Indonesian Army, which are: # Parachute-Raider Infantry Battalion (abbreviated "Yonif Para Raider"): are Airborne infantry battalions part of

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

which are able in Air assault and

Raid Raid, RAID or Raids may refer to: Attack * Raid (military), a sudden attack behind the enemy's lines without the intention of holding ground * Corporate raid, a type of hostile takeover in business * Panty raid, a prankish raid by male college ...

operations. # Mechanized-Raider Infantry Battalion (abbreviated "Yonif Mekanis Raider"): are Raider infantry battalions which are Mechanized that are special operations-capaable which also can carry out

urban warfare Urban warfare is combat conducted in urban areas such as towns and cities. Urban combat differs from combat in the open at both the operational and the tactical levels. Complicating factors in urban warfare include the presence of civilians a ...

and ground mechanized-infantry operations. # Raider Infantry Battalion (abbreviated "Yonif Raider"): are infantry battalions which are basically trained for Raid warfare and Air assault operations. #

Mechanized Infantry Mechanized infantry are infantry units equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs) or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also mechanized force). As defined by the United States Army, mechanized infantry is di ...

Battalion (abbreviated "Yonif Mekanis"): are mobilized infantry battalions, equipped with APCs and IFVs. # Infantry Battalion (abbreviated "Yonif"): are

light Infantry Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...

battalions. All infantrymen of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Army included, have capabilities in

Jungle warfare Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain. It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for bo ...

.

Para-Raider infantry battalions

Raider infantry battalions

Barisan Tantama Yonif Raider 500 Sikatan

In the

Indonesian Army The Indonesian Army ( id, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD), ) is the land branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. It has an estimated strength of 300,000 active personnel. The history of the Indonesian Army has its ...

, the ''Raider'' Infantry (In Indonesia known as ''Yonif Raider'') is a type of specialized-infantry above of regular infantry which are trained to conduct Raids, military extraction (hostage rescue),

counter-terrorist Counterterrorism (also spelled counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, incorporates the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or el ...

, airborne, Guerrilla and Air assault operations. It also is trained to conduct

urban Urban means "related to a city". In that sense, the term may refer to: * Urban area, geographical area distinct from rural areas * Urban culture, the culture of towns and cities Urban may also refer to: General * Urban (name), a list of people ...

and

jungle warfare Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain. It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for bo ...

. The first ten battalions of the raider infantry which were inaugurated on December 22, 2003, were formed by transforming 8 battalions of territorial commands and 2

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

battalions. As a counterweight force, the strength of a Raider Infantry Battalion (''Yonif Raider'') is equivalent to three times the strength of an ordinary/regular infantry battalion (Yonif) in the

Army An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

. This infantry unit is back grounded with "Raid" battle tactics known as "Depredation". Each Raider battalion consists of approximately 810 personnel of all ranks, larger than the normal battalions of around 570 infantrymen. These personnel were given special education and training for six months for modern warfare, guerrilla and anti-guerrilla warfare, and protracted warfare tactics and strategies. Each of these battalions is trained to have triple combat capabilities of ordinary infantry battalions (Yonifs). Raider infantrymen are trained to perform ambushes, airborne and air assault operations, such as foray from

helicopters A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward and laterally. These attributes ...

and transport aircraft, while Raider infantrymen in the mechanized battalions are also trained in mechanized and urban warfare operations. 50 personnel each in a Raider battalion are

Counter-terrorism Counterterrorism (also spelled counter-terrorism), also known as anti-terrorism, incorporates the practices, military tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, law enforcement, business, and intelligence agencies use to combat or ...

qualified with other additional specialized skills. The

Kopassus The Kopassus ( id, Komando Pasukan Khusus, Special Forces Command) is an Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) special forces group that conducts special operations missions for the Indonesian government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabot ...

Special Forces Education and Training Center ("Pusdikpassus") located in Batujajar,

West Java West Java ( id, Jawa Barat, su, ᮏᮝ ᮊᮥᮜᮧᮔ᮪, romanized ''Jawa Kulon'') is a province of Indonesia on the western part of the island of Java, with its provincial capital in Bandung. West Java is bordered by the province of Banten ...

is where Raider infantrymen get their advance special operations training before being stationed to their respective Raider battalions. Aside from the Raider battalions, the Indonesian Army also fosters " Para-Raider" battalions which are Raider infantry units qualified as Airborne which all are within the

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

corps. There are also Raider infantry battalions which are Mechanised (''Mekanis Raider'') in the Army, the units are the 411th, 412th, and 413th Mechanized-Raider Infantry Battalions which are part of the 6th Infantry Brigade,

2nd Kostrad Infantry Division The Kostrad 2nd Infantry Division (Indonesian: ''Divisi Infanteri 2 Kostrad'') abbreviated "Divif 2/Kostrad" , is an army strategic reserves command division of the Indonesian Army. The divisional commander is a two-star Major General. The divisio ...

and the 113th Raider Infantry Battalion (Mechanized) from the 25th Infantry Brigade, Kodam Iskandar Muda.

Other infantry battalions

Regular infantry battalions

Regular infantry battalions below are categorized as

Light infantry Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...

battalions, which some are "Raider" qualified. They are addressed as "Yonif" (abbreviated from ''Batalyon Infanteri'') in Indonesia, for example Yonif 125 means: 125th Infantry Battalion. The lists are as shown below: # 116th Infantry Battalion # 121st Infantry Battalion # 122nd Infantry Battalion # 123rd Infantry Battalion # 125th Infantry Battalion # 126th Infantry Battalion # 131st Infantry Battalion # 132nd Infantry Battalion # 133rd Infantry Battalion # 141st Infantry Battalion # 143rd Infantry Battalion # 144th Infantry Battalion # 310th Infantry Battalion # 312th Infantry Battalion # 315th Infantry Battalion # 320th Infantry Battalion # 403rd Infantry Battalion # 405th Infantry Battalion # 406th Infantry Battalion # 407th Infantry Battalion # 410th Infantry Battalion # 511th Infantry Battalion # 527th Infantry Battalion # 611th Infantry Battalion # 623rd Infantry Battalion # 642nd Infantry Battalion # 644th Infantry Battalion # 645th Infantry Battalion # 711th Infantry Battalion # 713th Infantry Battalion # 714th Infantry Battalion # 721st Infantry Battalion # 725th Infantry Battalion # 726th Infantry Battalion # 731st Infantry Battalion # 732nd Infantry Battalion # 734th Infantry Battalion # 742nd Infantry Battalion # 743rd Infantry Battalion # 757th Infantry Battalion # 761st Infantry battalion # 764th Infantry Battalion

Mechanized infantry Mechanized infantry are infantry units equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs) or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat (see also mechanized force). As defined by the United States Army, mechanized infantry is di ...
battalions (including Raider battalions)

* Part of the 1st Capital City Defense Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Kodam Jaya (Brigade Infanteri 1 Pengaman Ibu Kota/''"Jaya Sakti"'') # 201st Mechanized Infantry Battalion # 202nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion # 203rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion * Part of the 6th Mechanized Raider Infantry Brigade,

Kostrad The Army Strategic Reserves Command ( id, Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat; abbreviated ) is a combined-arms formation of the Indonesian Army. Kostrad is a Corps level command which has up to 35,000 troops. It also supervises operati ...

(Brigade Infanteri Mekanis 6/''"Trisakti Baladaya"'') # 411th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Raider qualified) # 412th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Raider qualified) # 413th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Raider qualified) * Part of the 16th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Kodam V/Brawijaya (Brigade Infanteri 16/''"Wira Yudha"'') # 512th Mechanized Infantry Battalion # 516th Mechanized Infantry Battalion # 521st Mechanized Infantry Battalion * Part of

Kodam XII/Tanjungpura Kodam XII/Tanjungpura (XII ''Military Regional Command/Tanjungpura''), is an Indonesian Army Regional Military Command that covers West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan province. Kodam Tanjungpura also oversees the defense of Indonesian border ...

military district command # 643rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion. * Part of

Kodam IX/Udayana Kodam IX/Udayana (IX ''Military Regional Command/Udayana'') is a military area command of the Indonesian Army which is responsible for the Lesser Sunda Islands. It was established as part of the 1985 reorganisation of the Indonesian National Armed ...

military district command # 741st Mechanized Infantry Battalion * Part of Kodam IV/Diponegoro military district command # 403rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion * Part of 091/Aji Surya Natakusuma Military Area command # 611th Mechanized Infantry Battalion * Part of 25th Infantry Brigade, Kodam Iskandar Muda #113th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Raider qualified)

Organization

Para-Raider infantry battalions

Raider infantry battalions

Other infantry battalions

Regular infantry battalions

See also

Notes

Further reading