Indonesian Special Operations Forces

by MAJ Lewis Field
Introduction
The Indonesian Army's Special Operations Command (called the KOPASSUS, for Kommando Pasukan Khusus) is a strike force whose main thrust is counterinsurgency and antisubversive operations. As with other parts of the armed forces, the KOPASSUS also is looking at extending its capabilities to defend outer portions of Indonesia from foreign intervention.
Mission
The KOPASSUS serves as one of the strike force commands of the Indonesian Armed Forces. It conducts missions such as infiltration, reconnaissance, and militia training behind the lines, as well as antisubversive and internal security operations. Figure 1 depicts the shoulder patch worn by KOPASSUS forces. Over the years, the KOPASSUS has been involved in many operations against subversive/separatist groups throughout Indonesia. One goal of the KOPASSUS is to have elements available for deployment within 15 minutes of notification.

During internal reviews of the military in the late 1990s, it was considered that a future, large-scale war was unlikely but that a small-scale, high-intensity war or internal operation was likely. It was understood that this would be true for the next 5-8 years; therefore, light, airborne, and special forces were the focus of reorganizations to allow the most flexibility in likely situations.



Equipment
KOPASSUS forces are thought to receive better weapons than regular units and possibly better living quarters, rations, salary, and clothing. Their equipment consists of what is found in many special forces units throughout the world (see table 2). Most KOPASSUS forces wear special camouflage uniforms and red berets, though Groups IV and V may wear civilian clothes and have altered grooming standards.
Table 2. Equipment List
Equipment Type
Equipment Model
Comments
Rifles
FNC SS1V-1
5.56 mm
AK-47
7.62 mm
M-16
5.56 mm

Handguns
Browning Highpower
9 mm
Sig Sauer P220
9 mm
PM-1A1
9 mm
Walther PPK
9 mm
M1911
.45 cal
H&K Mk 23
.45 cal

Light machinegun
Uzi submachinegun
9 mm
FN Mini
5.56 mm

Electro-optical
Phillips

Lippo

RT-5A
Laser sight

Water devices
Drager
Breathing apparatus
Spero
Breathing apparatus
Oxydive
Breathing apparatus
Farallon
Diver assist vehicle
Rubber (Zodiac type) boats
20 and 40 ft

Miscellaneous
Remotely piloted vehicles

MC-4
Parachute
MC-1B
Parachute
Mortars
60 mm (?)
Walkie Talkie comms

Training
Members of the KOPASSUS are selected from other units for mental and physical toughness and ideological soundness. Those who pass an initial screening take part in a 9-month "selection," with heavy emphasis on physical endurance. At the end of this phase, a 380-km march is conducted through mountainous terrain with minimal rations. Then a week-long evasion and escape phase is conducted; if caught, one is removed from the program. As manpower is increased to meet a three- and four-part rotational cycle, additional training would be expected. Also, as units have been used fairly extensively throughout the years, many of the KOPASSUS members have actual mission experience.