Indonesia-US joint military drills with allies kick off with 4,700 soldiers
Indonesia, the United States and more than a dozen allies launched annual joint military exercises on Monday to boost defence capabilities and “deter aggression” in the Asia-Pacific region. Jakarta maintains a neutral foreign policy, what it calls “free and active”, as it walks a diplomatic tightrope seeking good relations with both Washington and Beijing. The Southeast Asian giant held a joint…
Indonesia, the United States and a coalition of 12 allied nations commenced their annual joint military drills on Monday, with the aim of enhancing defense capabilities and deterring any aggression in the Asia-Pacific region. The Southeast Asian nation, known for its neutral foreign policy, is navigating a delicate diplomatic balance between its relations with both the United States and China.
Recently, Indonesia participated in a joint navy drill with China, which was condemned by Taiwan as a provocation. For the past two decades, the Super Garuda Shield exercises have brought together approximately 4,700 soldiers from various countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Japan, for training sessions held across Sumatra and Borneo islands until September 11.
The US Fourth Infantry Division commander, Patrick Ellis, emphasized the significance of the exercise in building the "human architecture" essential for maintaining the security of the Indo-Pacific region. He stressed that effective readiness cannot be achieved when a crisis begins. During the official kickoff of the drills at a military school in Bandung, east of Jakarta, Ellis highlighted that the security landscape in the Indo-Pacific is complex, and readiness must be maintained through continuous preparation.
The drills will encompass a range of activities, including training for special forces infiltration and cyber defense exercises. Ellis also noted that this year's event marks Indonesia's elevated status as a major defense cooperation partner with the United States, a relationship that President Prabowo Subianto has further strengthened through his trade deal with US President Donald Trump and his participation in the Board of Peace.
Additionally, East Timor, Italy, Thailand and other nations have dispatched observers to monitor the exercises. China's foreign and defense ministers visited Indonesia this month to engage in diplomatic talks, culminating in a commitment to further political and military cooperation. Later this year, the two countries will conduct their own joint military drills under the Heping Garuda initiative, focusing on humanitarian aid, disaster relief and military-to-military cooperation.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
