TNI Opens 2026 Super Garuda Shield Exercise With the US, France and 19 Other Countries

Indonesia has opened its annual Super Garuda Shield exercise, bringing together 4,743 military personnel from 21 countries across three of the country’s major islands.

The exercise, known as SGS V 2026, began on Aug. 31 and will run until Sept. 11. Its opening was led by Indonesian military chief Gen. Agus Subiyanto at the TNI Staff and Command School in Bandung, West Java. The closing ceremony will take place in Jakarta.

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Super Garuda Shield is held every year in Indonesia. This year, 21 countries are attending. The total number of personnel training is 4,743, with 12 training areas.

Training sites include Bandung, Jakarta, Lampung, Baturaja in South Sumatra, and Nunukan in North Kalimantan. Participating countries include the United States, Australia, France, Britain, Japan, Germany, India, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, along with Indonesia and other partners.

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The purpose of the exercise is first diplomacy, then cooperation through an exchange of capabilities.

Agus said the exercise serves diplomatic purposes and allows participating militaries to exchange capabilities. This year’s program includes 12 training areas, with cyber capabilities receiving particular attention. Indonesia’s cyber unit was established about three years ago, and the exercise provides an opportunity to train with cyber command posts from partner countries.

The drills also expand humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training in North Kalimantan. Other activities include air operations, airborne operations, ground combat and medical evacuation. The TNI said the overall exercise is intended to improve interoperability, readiness and joint operational capabilities, while strengthening cooperation between Indonesia, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and other partner countries.

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For example, in the TNI, we have only had a cyber unit for three years, and here we are training with cyber command posts from other countries as well as conducting other exercises.