Indonesia and Australia conduct large-scale joint drills in East Java

From October 12 to 20, Indonesia and Australia held the Keris Woomera 26 joint military exercise in Banyuwangi, East Java. The drill involved about 1,235 personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces and 1,000 from the Australian Defence Force, encompassing amphibious landings, live-fire exercises and integrated naval maneuvers. Australian Vice Admiral Justin Jones described Indonesia as a vital, enduring partner and noted the exercise as Australia’s largest overseas training activity this year.

The operation deployed Australian assets such as HMAS Choules, HMAS Perth, HMAS Stalwart, C-130J Hercules, PC-21 aircraft, M777 howitzers and HIMARS launchers, while Indonesia contributed a Diponegoro-class corvette, artillery, MLRS, Bell 412 and Panther helicopters, and Super Tucano aircraft. Participants aimed to address geographic and environmental challenges in the Indo-Pacific and improve force deployment and deterrence capabilities.