"Many are hoping for this cause, considering many countries have established a cyber unit as their fourth military branch," he said in Jakarta on Friday.
He emphasized the importance of Indonesia following the example of fellow Southeast Asian nation Singapore, which has formed a military branch that focuses on cybersecurity.
Earlier on the same day, Soesatyo said that the time has come for the country to start making preparations for the establishment of a cyber branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
He said that the presence of the cyber force will strengthen the three existing branches: TNI AD (army), TNI AL (navy), and TNI AU (air force).
Soesatyo underlined that the world has entered the era of the Internet of Military Things (IoMT), alternatively known as the Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT), marked by countries' ability to launch military operations remotely without compromising accuracy.
He expressed his belief that a cyber military force is vital for Indonesia given the country's geopolitical position at the center of three member states of the Commonwealth of Nations—Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.
He noted that the three countries are parties to the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FFDA), along with the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Moreover, Indonesia could potentially be affected by the struggle for power between Russia, China, and the United States, Soesatyo added.
Soesatyo said that the recent cyberattack on a national data center should be seen as a warning. Related news: Indonesia's TNI needs fourth branch: cyber military force
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Translator: Rio F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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