Indonesian Anti-Terror Special Forces - Kopassus Unit-81 (SAT-81)

 Kopassus Unit 81 / SAT-81 (formerly known as Sat-81/Gultor) is an elite anti-terror unit under the Indonesian Army's Special Forces Command (Kopassus). It consists of soldiers with qualifications exceeding those of other special forces.

Sat-81 is a strategic strike unit with highly specialized capabilities.

Primary Role: Counter-terrorism, special intelligence, and sabotage and direct attack operations to destroy vital enemy assets.

Characteristics: Known as the "stealth force" due to its covert and undetected movements. Its personnel and weaponry are highly classified.

Structure: Consists of several supporting battalions, such as Battalion 811 and Battalion 812.

How Does It Work and How Is It Selected?

Sat-81 operations are conducted with the principles of high secrecy and speed of execution.

Rigorous Selection: Its members are the best soldiers selected from within the Kopassus (Indonesian Special Forces) through rigorous physical and mental selection.

Special Training: Personnel are trained at the Special Forces Education and Training Center (Pusdiklatpassus) to master various close-quarters combat techniques, hostage rescue, and explosives handling.

Synergy: This unit frequently conducts joint training with other Indonesia elite units such as Denjaka (Indonesian Navy) and Satbravo 90 (Indonesian Air Force) for national anti-terror coordination.

History of Formation

This unit was formed in response to the increasing threat of global terrorism in the early 1980s.

Founding: Formed on June 30, 1982, by the duo of Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (first Commander) and Prabowo Subianto (first Deputy Commander) on the instructions of General Benny Moerdani.

Background: Triggered by the successful operation to free the hostages of a Garuda Indonesia plane during Operation Woyla at Don Muang Airport, Thailand, in 1981. The "81" in its name refers to the year of this historic event.

Inspiration: Its educational and organizational model draws heavily from international special forces such as GSG 9 (Germany) and SAS (England).