This chapter discusses the development and current state of the Indonesian Armed Forces’ (TNI) Special Forces (SF). Its force multiplier capability has made SF a valuable asset to the Indonesian military. SF personnel are supposed to be equipped with intensive training and specialised armament, ensuring their readiness for deployment in intense and hostile operations. Can Indonesia’s SF meet this expectation? The chapter begins by examining the history of Indonesia’s SF and its continuous organisational changes. The analysis then examines the rationale behind the institutional reform from the perspective of threat assessment and organisational needs. On the one hand, SF’s organisational change serves as a response to the changing geopolitical landscapes and threats. On the other hand, the institutional reform of SF also serves as a solution for the promotional logjam problems within the Indonesian military. This chapter also analyses the challenges of developing a more professional SF. First, the study scrutinises problems arising from ageing equipment, compounded by limited budgets and inadequate civilian oversight of the procurement process. Second, this chapter discusses the potential impacts of the deployment to non-special operations, such as food self-sufficiency projects, towards SF development. The chapter concludes by discussing the consequences of civilian authorities’ pragmatic approach for the future of Indonesia’s SF. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.