Strategic Defense Considerations in the Relocation of Indonesia's National Capital

Abstract

This study examines the defense strategy associated with the relocation of Indonesia's National Capital (IKN) to East Kalimantan. The capital relocation decision is driven by the objective of realizing Vision 2045, which aims to transform Indonesia into a developed nation, establish a capital with a robust national identity, and transition the development focus from a Java-centric model to an Indonesia-centric approach. Employing a qualitative descriptive methodology, this research analyzes both traditional security risks arising from IKN’s proximity to international borders and emerging non-traditional threats, particularly those in cyberspace. The findings reveal that in the context of Society 5.0, hybrid threats, including cyber warfare, pose significant vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to strengthen its defense capabilities. Moreover, the study emphasizes the necessity of establishing a specialized Military District Command (KODIM) Nusantara and implementing a multi-layered defense strategy to protect the new capital from both conventional and non-conventional threats. This research enhances the understanding of how the relocation of a capital city necessitates the development of a comprehensive security framework that integrates territorial defense with technological security, while prioritizing robust cybersecurity infrastructure, regional collaboration, and continuous investment in national defense to address evolving security challenges.