The Koopssus was established in 2015. At that time, this force consisted of 90 people who would serve in operational status.[2]
Revisions to Indonesia's anti-terror laws, which were passed in 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. The Special Operations Command was established on 30 July 2019,[1] through President Decree No. 42/2019 and Commander of the Armed Forces Regulation No. 19/2019.[3][4]
The Koopssus is to be commanded by a two-star general officer, while the minimum position is a one-star general officer.[2] Brigadier General Rochadi has been appointed on 30 July 2019 as the unit's first commander.[1]
Organization Structure
Based on Commander of the Armed Forces Regulation No. 19/2019, Koopssus organization divided into 4 parts: Leadership, Assistants, Servicing Echelons, and Executive Operators. For Executive Operators, only 1 out of 7 executive operators is permanent body member of the Koopssus, while other executive operators are non-permanent body members provided by Indonesian National Armed Forces. Koopssus consisted by:[4]
Leadership Elements
Office of the Commander of Koopssus
Office of the Deputy Commander of Koopssus
Assistants to the Commander (Planning, Operations, Personnel, Logistics, Communication and Electronics)
Servicing Echelons
Koopssus HQ Detachment
Administration Staff Coordinator
Executive Operators
Permanent Intelligence Force Command
Special Force Command (Non-permanent, per assignment basis)
Force Strengthening Command (Non-permanent, per assignment basis)
Special Sea Operation Force Command (Non-permanent, per assignment basis)
Special Air Operation Force Command (Non-permanent, per assignment basis)
Special Force Assistance Operation Command (Non-permanent, per assignment basis)
Supporting Command (Non-permanent, per assignment basis)
Mission
President of IndonesiaJoko Widodo signed, on 3 July 2019,[5] a presidential decree clarifying the military's expanded role in counter-terrorism. Koopssus is to be coordinated with the Indonesian National Police in carrying out its mission of responding to high-intensity terror acts.[1][5]
According to the Decree, the Koopssus is in charge of conducting special operations and activities to safeguard the Indonesian national interests both at home and abroad.[5]
Reactions
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 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.[6]