Koopssus

The idea of forming a joint special operations command had previously existed in 2015 with the establishment of Koopssusgab (Indonesian: Komando Operasi Khusus Gabungan, lit.: Joint Special Operations Command), which was inaugurated by the former Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Moeldoko on 6 June 2015. At that time, this force consisted of 90 people who would serve in operational status.^[2] However, due to several risk exposures associated with the risk of human rights violation, TNI involvement could potentially cause conflict between TNI and POLRI because both have different operational doctrines, and lack of legal basis regulating TNI's role in counter-terrorism could turn the operation into war;^[3] the unit was frozen and disbanded after Moeldoko replaced by the new Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Gatot Nurmantyo since 8 July 2015.^[4][5]

Following the series of terrorist attacks during Surabaya bombings on 13–14 May 2018,^[6][7] the revision of law on anti-terror proposed by the government in 15 May 2018,^[8] and the re-establishment of a Special Operations Command was again discussed by the Legislators at the Indonesian House of Representatives since 16 May 2018.^[9][10][11] Revisions to Indonesia's anti-terror laws (Law Number 5 of 2018)^[12] which were passed on 25 May 2018, allowed the military to be formally involved in counter-terrorism operations. Until then, the Indonesian National Police’s elite wing, the Detachment 88 (Densus 88), had been the country's lead security unit in pursuing terrorists.^[13]

The Special Operations Command (Koopssus TNI) then officially established on 30 July 2019,^[1] through President Regulation Number 42 of 2019 signed by President of Indonesia Joko Widodo dated 3 July 2019,^[14][15] and Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Regulation Number 19 of 2019 issued by Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto dated 19 July 2019;^[16][17] clarifying the military's expanded role in counter-terrorism and the organization and duties of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Special Operations Command.^[18] Koopssus is to be coordinated with the Indonesian National Police in carrying out its mission of responding to high-intensity terror acts.^[1][18]

According to Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 42 of 2019, concerning "The Second Amendment to Presidential Regulation Number 10 of 2010 concerning the Organizational Structure of the Indonesian National Armed Forces", Article 46B:

Paragraph (1)

"The Indonesian National Armed Forces Special Operations Command, called as Koopssus TNI, is tasked with carrying out special operations and activities to support the implementation of special operations that require high speed and success in order to safeguard national interests both within and outside the territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in order to support the main tasks of the TNI."

Paragraph (2)

"The Koopssus TNI is led by the Commandant of the Koopssus TNI, called as Dankoopssus TNI, who is subordinate to and responsible to the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. In carrying out daily tasks, he is coordinated by the Chief of General Staff of the Indonesian National Armed Forces."

Paragraph (3)

"Dankoopssus TNI is assisted by the Deputy Commandant of the Koopssus TNI, called as Wadankoopssus TNI."

^{[14][19][15][20]}

According to Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, the Koopssus consists of 500 personnel drawn from the army, navy and air force. About 400 Koopssus personnel carry out preventive measures, including surveillance and intelligence, while the remaining 100 members are tasked with confronting terrorist acts.^[1]

The Koopssus operators equipped with their designated weaponry such as HK416, SIG516, SIG MCX, DSAR-15P^[21] or any designated weapon and equipment from each of their relevant unit they came from (Sat-81 Gultor Kopassus, Denjaka, Bravo Detachment 90) to be used for specific missions.^[22]

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Bambang Soesatyo, said he hoped that the formation of Koopssus would also strengthen the monitoring of cyberspace.^[1]

According to Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, the establishment of the unit is an implementation of the 11 Priority Programs, a military program to deal with a spectrum of threats.^[23]

• Kopassus
• Denjaka
• Bravo Detachment 90