Indonesian Marine Corps

Korps Marinir
Coat of Arms of the Korps Marinir
Active	15 November 1945
Country	Indonesia
Branch	Indonesian Navy
Type	Naval Infantry
Part of	See Organization
Nickname	KORMAR, Purple Berets
Mascot	Jalesu Bhumyamca Jayamahe (Sanskrit;lit:On the Water and Land, We are Glorious)
Engagements	Various anti-guerrilla operations in Indonesia, including Aceh and East Timor
Website	Official Site
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General TNI (Mar) Buyung Lalana
Notable commanders	See Commandants of the KORMAR

The Indonesian Marine Corps (Indonesian: Korps Marinir, KorMar) is the Indonesian Navy's ground troops. It was created on 15 November 1945, and is the country's main amphibious warfare force and quick reaction force against enemy invasion.

History

Kormar has been active in various military operations in Indonesia. One of the largest amphibious military operations would have been Operation Jayawijaya in which thousands of marines were planned to land on Biak in 1963 as a part of the Trikora Campaign to take West Irian from Dutch control. The operation was aborted as a consequence deals preceding the New York Agreement.^[1]

In 1999 a plan was proposed to expand the Kormar from its strength of 13,000 troops. Based on this plan, every Kormar's base would have three combat brigades: the Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery and would be supported by one Combat Support Regiment and one Administration Support Regiment. The expansion will create three Kormar bases: Surabaya for Eastern area command, Jakarta for Central area command, and Rate Island in Lampung for Western area command. Now the Indonesian Marine Corps has an estimated 29,000 troops in two Marine Forces (PASMARs) and one independent infantry marine regiment, when combined equal to one over-strength infantry division, which includes its own sizable mechanized amphibious and artillery units.

Following a reorganisation introduced in March 2001, the corps consisted of the 1st Marine Corps Group (1,3,5 Battalions) at Surabaya, and the Independent Marine Corps Brigade (2,4,6, Battalions) at Jakarta.(JDW 11 April 2001). The 8th Bn was formed in January 2004 and the 9th Bn was due to be formed in April 2004. They were planned to be part of a new group that would include the 7th Bn and support elements. (JDW 18 February 2004, p. 18) The same Jane's Defence Weekly story (Robert Karniol, 'Indonesia Reinforces Marines') said the Marine Corps leadership is reported to have ambitions for the service to expand to at least two full divisions. However it was reported that the army was opposed, 'perhaps reflecting it's leadership's concern over influence.'

Organization

Korps Marinir Colors Guards

2 Marine Forces plus one independent brigade (forming as part of Ten Year Defence Plan 2004-13)

• 1st Marine Force (HQ : Surabaya Marine Base)
  • 1st Marine Infantry Brigade with 1st, 3rd, and 5th Marine Infantry Battalions
  • 1st Marine Cavalry Regiment
  • 1st Marine Artillery Regiment
  • 1st Marine Combat Support Regiment
  • 1st Marine Administration Support Regiment
  • 1st Amphibious Recon Battalion

• 2nd Marine Force (HQ : Jakarta Marine Base)
  • 2nd Marine Infantry Brigade with 2nd, 4th, and 6th Marine Infantry Battalions
  • 2nd Marine Cavalry Regiment
  • 2nd Marine Artillery Regiment
  • 2nd Marine Combat Support Regiment
  • 2nd Marine Administration Support Regiment
  • 2nd Amphibious Recon Battalion

• 3rd Marine Independent Infantry Brigade (Piabung, Lampung)
  • 7th, 8th, 9th Marine Infantry Battalion
  • 10th Marine Infantry Battalion - Setoko Island, Batam

• 3rd Marine Force (HQ : Sorong West Papua)

Marine Commandos

Taifib member in training exercise

Officially known as Battalion Intai Amfibi (Taifib), (Amphibious Recon Battalion) formerly the Kompi Intai Para Amphibi (KIPAM), they were officially formed on 18 March 1961 as marine commandos. Set at battalion strength it was first used in the Irian Jaya in April 1962. Starting from November 1971 it was called Batalyon Intai Amphibi(Yon Taifib) or Amphibious Recon Battalion. All applicants must be active marine soldiers who have served for at least 2 years and are willing to undergo seven months of grueling selection and commando training course. Training includes one month of airborne training course. Today, one battalion is stationed in Jakarta and Surabaya marine bases each, while the remainder is stationed at the Amphibious Recon Battalion training facility at Surabaya.

Commandants of the KORMAR

Heavy Equipment

Light Equipment

• SS1-R5 Raider
• SS1-M1
• Pindad SS2
• T91 assault rifle
• Vz. 58
• AK-47
• AK-101
• M4
• MP5
• RPG-7
• Pindad SPR
• 9K115-2 Metis-M

References

External links

• KOMAR official website