The United States and Indonesia have launched their annual Super Garuda Shield military exercise, bringing together more than 4,700 personnel, Reuters reported.
The exercise will continue through September 11 and is being conducted at multiple locations across Indonesia. A total of 13 countries are participating, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Canada.
The drills will cover a broad range of military activities, including airborne infiltration, Stinger surface-to-air missile exercises, jungle warfare, naval operations, and cyber defense.
Participating forces will also conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief (HADR) training, reflecting Indonesia’s recent experience with natural disasters and wildfires. A magnitude-7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara reportedly killed more than 100 people in August, while wildfires affected nearly 95,000 hectares (234,750 acres) across the country in July.
Expanding Indonesia’s Defense Partnerships
The latest Super Garuda Shield exercise comes as Indonesia continues to strengthen defense cooperation with regional and international partners.
In July, Indonesia and Singapore announced plans to establish three joint military training areas at locations across the Indonesian archipelago, creating additional opportunities for bilateral exercises and operational cooperation.
In May, Jakarta and Tokyo formalized closer defense ties, paving the way for expanded joint training, maritime cooperation, and defense-industrial collaboration.
Indonesia also became the first international customer for Türkiye’s Bayraktar Kizilelma combat aircraft under an agreement with Turkish manufacturer Baykar. The deal covers 12 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028. Indonesia also has options for an additional 48 aircraft, alongside plans to establish local production and support infrastructure.
These developments followed an April agreement between Indonesia and the United States aimed at strengthening defense cooperation through military modernization, troop training, professional military education, and operational collaboration.
Washington and Jakarta have also discussed a US request for broader access to Indonesian airspace. However, the Indonesian government has emphasized that the airspace proposal is separate from the broader defense agreement and remains subject to technical discussions and Indonesia’s national approval procedures.
The expanding network of exercises, defense agreements, and procurement initiatives highlights Indonesia’s growing focus on strengthening military readiness while deepening cooperation with multiple strategic partners.
