Abstrak
Indonesia’s defence strategy, rooted in the Sishankamrata (Total People’s Defense) doctrine, faces significant challenges in addressing contemporary security threats. Despite its historical success in mobilizing national resources for internal security, the doctrine’s inward focus and fragmented implementation hinder its effectiveness in dealing with regional power competition and modern warfare demands. This study aims to analyze Indonesia’s defence policies, particularly its acquisition strategies, to identify systemic inefficiencies and propose solutions for modernization.
Using a qualitative approach, the research examines official defence documents, historical analyses, and case studies of military procurement. Key findings reveal that Indonesia’s diversified acquisition strategy—sourcing weapons from 33 countries—results in severe interoperability and logistical challenges. Institutional misalignments between the Ministry of Defense and other stakeholders exacerbate these issues, leading to inconsistent policy execution.
The article proposes adopting a cohesive defence strategy, emphasizing Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) approaches and strengthening common understanding among national defence stakeholders. Lessons from Singapore’s adaptive Total Defense model highlight the importance of political will and strategic clarity. Addressing these gaps would enable Indonesia to enhance its military effectiveness and align its defence policies with contemporary security challenges.
Keywords: Sishankamrata, Indonesia defence policy, procurement policy, military modernization