Hybrid Warfare And Total Defense Strategy: Indonesia's Comprehensive Security Framework In The Indo-Pacific Era

Heru Prasetyo; Priyanto  Suharto; Totok Imam Santoso; Sulistyanto  Al-Mujaddid

doi:10.55227/ijhess.v5i1.1786

Authors

Heru Prasetyo Universitas Pertahanan RI
Priyanto Suharto Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia
Totok Imam Santoso Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia
Sulistyanto Al-Mujaddid Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v5i1.1786

Keywords:

Hybrid Warfare, Total Defense, Indonesia, Indo-Pacific, Security Strategy

Abstract

The Indo-Pacific region is witnessing a transformation in its security architecture, with hybrid warfare emerging as a dominant threat. This includes a blend of conventional military force, cyber operations, disinformation, economic coercion, and proxy conflicts. As the world’s largest archipelagic state and a key middle power in Southeast Asia, Indonesia faces increasing pressure to adapt its national defense strategy. This study explores how Indonesia’s Total Defense Strategy (Sishankamrata) addresses multidimensional hybrid threats and evaluates its effectiveness. Using a qualitative approach through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of sources from 2010 to 2024, the research highlights Indonesia’s efforts to integrate cyber defense, civil-military cooperation, and public mobilization initiatives such as Bela Negara and the Reserve Component. While these reflect progress, challenges persist in the form of fragmented institutional coordination, limited technological capacity, and inconsistent implementation across the archipelago. The Total Defense Strategy provides a strong framework, yet structural and operational gaps hinder its full potential. To improve effectiveness, Indonesia must strengthen inter-agency synergy, upgrade early warning systems, and align defense strategy with national development. Regional collaboration through ASEAN and multilateral platforms is also critical. This research offers insights for other archipelagic and middle-power states facing similar hybrid threats

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