Jakarta – The Indonesian Army has proposed a third infantry division for their Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) in Papua, which would see more guards made available to patrol Papua border areas and other conflict-prone regions.

The Army needs financial assistance from the government however before its proposal can be realized.

"Indonesia is a huge archipelagic country, which is geographically and politically strategic among the international community," Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso said.

He spoke to reporters after chairing the handover ceremony for the post of Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) chief from Maj. Gen. Rasyid Qurnuen Aquary to Brig. Gen. Soenarko at the Kopassus headquarters in East Jakarta on Wednesday.

"We need a strong armed forces to maintain the unity of our country. If we can secure financial support from the government, the third infantry division of Kostrad is expected to be established by 2014," Djoko told Antara.

He said they have also considered establishing more cavalry and engineering battalions to guard the country's border areas and conflict zones.

The establishment of a third division was first suggested in the early 1980s. "But the idea (was not made a) reality until I became Army chief," he said.

"The expansion (of Kostrad) is necessary... to establish a stronger defense system. Ideally, Kostrad must have three divisions. But financial constraint has... (seen us with) two infantry divisions and an infantry brigade," he added.

Currently, Kostrad has two divisions – the first is in Cilodong, Bogor, south of Jakarta and the second is located in Malang, East Java.