Indonesia and US launch drills to strengthen Indo-Pacific defense

Indonesia and the United States have opened annual military exercises involving more than 12 allied countries, as Jakarta maintains its stated policy of balancing relations with Washington and Beijing.

The Super Garuda Shield exercises involve 4,700 troops from Indonesia, the United States, Britain, France and Japan. Training will take place at several locations, including the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, through Sept. 11. Timor-Leste, Italy, Thailand and other countries are participating as observers.

The exercises include special-forces infiltration training and cyber-defense drills. Patrick J. Ellis, commander of the US Army's 4th Infantry Division, said the training would help build cooperation to keep the Indo-Pacific safe. "The Indo-Pacific security landscape is complex and readiness cannot be increased suddenly only when a crisis begins," he said at the military school in Bandung where the drills were formally launched.

Indonesia upgraded its defense relationship with the United States to the status of Major Defense Cooperation Partner in April. Ellis described Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy, as an important pillar of regional stability.

Jakarta has also held naval exercises with China this month, drawing criticism from Taiwan as a provocation. China's foreign and defense ministers reportedly visited Indonesia this month for talks and agreements to expand political and military cooperation. Indonesia and China are expected to hold the Heping Garuda exercises later this year, focusing on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and military cooperation.

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The Indo-Pacific security landscape is complex and readiness cannot be increased suddenly only when a crisis begins.