Indonesian Strategic Intelligence Agency

BAIS started as the Army Psychological Center (Pusat Psikologi Angkatan Darat abbreviated PSiAD) belonging to the Army Headquarters (MBAD) to balance the Central Intelligence Bureau (Biro Pusat Intelijen abbreviated BPI) under the leadership of Subandrio, which absorbed a lot of PKI sympathists.[3]

At the beginning of the New Order era, the Ministry of Defense and Security established the Strategic Intelligence Center (Pusat Intelijen Strategis abbreviated as Pusintelstrat) with PSiAD members being mostly liquidated into it.[3]

Pusintelstrat is led by the Chairman of the G-I Defense and Security Brigadier General L.B. Moerdani. The position continued to be held until L.B. Moerdani became Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces. In this era, military intelligence had an operational intelligence agency called the Kopkamtib Intelligence Task Force. This agency in the Kopkamtib era played a full role as an Operational Intelligence Unit whose authority was very superior.[3]

In 1980, the Pusintelstrat and the Kopkamtib Intelligence Task Force were merged into the ABRI Intelligence Agency (Badan Intelijen Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia abbreviated BIA). The BIA was commanded by the commander of ABRI, while operational duties of BIA are led by the Deputy Chief.[3] "ABRI" (from Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia) was the name of the Armed Forces of Indonesia during the new order era.

In 1986, in response to the challenges, BIA was changed to BAIS. This change had an impact on organizational restructuring which must be able to cover and analyze all aspects of the Strategic Defense, Security and National Development.[3]

After a long process, finally in 1999 (post reformation) the institution was legally recognized as Badan Intelijen Strategis Tentara Nasional Indonesia (shortened BAIS TNI).

BAIS is headed by a three-star armed forces general holding the title of Kepala BAIS (shortened Ka Bais) and is assisted by a Vice Head which is a two-star armed forces general holding the title of Wakil Kepala BAIS (shortened Waka Bais). Currently it is headed by Lieutenant General Joni Supriyanto which held office since 21 October 2020,[5][6] and the vice head is Major General Achmad Riad.[7] The leadership of BAIS reports to the Commander of the Armed Forces (Panglima TNI).[8]

BAIS organization is quite secretive. According to Presidential Decree No. 66/2019, there are 8 Directorates under BAIS, all are named by letters only. Prior 2023, only 7 directorates have known function as in 2016.[9] The latest formed directorate, H Directorate, which formed in 2019 is assigned for an unknown undisclosed function since its creation, but subsequently identified in 2023.[10][11]

1. A Directorate (Indonesian: Direktorat A) for Domestic Military Intelligence
2. B Directorate (Indonesian: Direktorat B) for Foreign Military Intelligence
3. C Directorate (Indonesian: Direktorat C) for Defense and Military Intelligence
4. D Directorate (Indonesian: Direktorat D) for Military Security Intelligence
5. E Directorate (Indonesian: Direktorat E) for Psychological Operations
6. F Directorate (Indonesian: Direktorat F) for Administration and Finance
7. G Directorate (Indonesian: Direktorat G) for Research and Production
8. H Directorate (Indonesian: Direktorat H) for Strategic Defense Potentials Intelligence

BAIS oversees several parental units known as Satuan Induk Badan Intelijen Strategis (Satinduk BAIS TNI). It is commanded by a Brigadier General.

1. Basic training
2. Secondary training
3. Strategic training

1. Investigation
2. Security
   • Materials / Assets
   • Personnel
   • News / Information
3. Raising / Coaching