Prabowo calls on 1,177 newly commissioned officers to master AI and cyber warfare

Prabowo urges 1,177 new TNI, Polri officers to master AI

President Prabowo Subianto commissioned 1,177 new officers from Indonesia's military and police academies on Wednesday, calling on them to master artificial intelligence, cyber systems and advanced technologies as the nation confronts increasingly complex security challenges.

Speaking at the 2026 commissioning ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Prabowo emphasized that the new generation of officers stands at the forefront of defending national sovereignty in an era when threats extend far beyond conventional military confrontation.

"As the next generation, you are on the front line of realizing our aspirations and safeguarding the nation. Master science, technology, AI, cyber systems, unmanned technology and foreign languages," Prabowo told the newly minted officers.

The president's directive comes just 20 days after Indonesia's armed forces formally adopted the Perisai Trisula Nusantara doctrine on July 2, 2026, the country's first major military doctrine update designed specifically to address modern warfare including autonomous systems, electronic warfare and information operations.

Prabowo, who served as defense minister from October 2019 to October 2024 before assuming the presidency, has consistently championed military modernization through advanced technology procurement and defense diplomacy. As president, he aims to increase Indonesia's defense budget from 0.7 to 1.5 percent of GDP by 2029, focusing on indigenous defense capabilities and technology transfer.

The ceremony at Merdeka Palace, which has served as the official venue for national commissioning ceremonies since 2017, brought together 512 Army officers, 229 Navy officers, 154 Air Force officers and 282 police officers. The palace location revives a state tradition that originally ran at the presidential site from 1984 to 2003 before temporarily shifting to the Military Academy grounds in Magelang.

Rising threats demand new capabilities

Prabowo warned that competition among nations is intensifying while threats to sovereignty now encompass cyberwarfare, information technology, transnational crime and other nontraditional challenges. Indonesia has confronted data leaks, ransomware attacks and espionage targeting vulnerable IT infrastructure, with these incidents involving intelligence theft, manipulation of public opinion and disinformation operations.

The president stressed that officers must demonstrate strong character, discipline, leadership and technological expertise to effectively protect the nation.

"The TNI and Polri must be strong and professional. They must work together to safeguard the Indonesian nation," he said.

While the Indonesian National Police separated from the armed forces on April 1, 1999, it continues to operate in paramilitary roles and maintains close cooperation with the military on internal security missions. Indonesia's National Cyber and Crypto Agency serves as the leading institution handling national cyber defense, working alongside military and police forces to protect critical infrastructure.

Recognition of excellence

During the ceremony, Prabowo presented the Adhi Makayasa award to four top graduates who demonstrated overall excellence in academics, leadership, physical fitness and mental resilience. The recipients were Calvin Tidar Sakti of the Military Academy, Muhammad Rizqi Wira Utama Baihaqi Putra of the Naval Academy, Yehezkiel Bonaventura Yudaniarman of the Air Force Academy, and Harindra Arsandho Tegarbaja of the Police Academy.

The 2026 graduating class represents the second cohort to complete Indonesia's reformed military education system, which shifted to a three-year course of study starting with the 2025 class, following the practice of France and India's National Defense Academy.

TNI Commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto stated in January 2025 that modernizing military doctrine was essential to help the armed forces adjust personnel and equipment to warfare trends marked by extensive use of AI-powered drones and sophisticated technology, setting the stage for the institutional changes now being implemented across Indonesia's defense establishment.