Indonesia hosts annual US-led combat drills with Indo-Pacific allies

Indonesia and the United States began annual joint military exercises on Monday together with forces from a dozen other countries, as the U.S. pushes its allies to take threats from China more seriously.

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Hosted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces, this year's Super Garuda Shield focused on strengthening regional ties in an increasingly unstable global landscape, said Gen. Tandyo Budi Revita, the military's Deputy Commander.

“It serves as a joint exercise where we stand together to respond every challenge quickly and precisely.” he said in his speech at kickoff ceremony along with Admiral Samuel Paparo, the Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

The exercise has been held annually in Jakarta by U.S. and Indonesian soldiers since 2009. The list of participants expanded since 2022 to include Australia, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Brazil and South Korea, bringing the total number of troops taking part in the drill to 6,500.

Paparo said the expanded participants symbolizes a commitment to partnership and to the sovereignty of each country through mutual respect.