9th India-Indonesia military Ex Garud Shakti commences in Indonesia
Military exercise
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The 9th edition of the India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garud Shakti commenced at Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia. The bilateral military exercise will be held from 1 to 12 November 2024. The 8th edition of the Garud Shakti exercise was also held in Indonesia in November 2022.
Participants of the 9th edition of the Exercise Garud Shakti
The 25-member Indian contingent is represented by the elite Parachute Regiment (Special Force) of the Indian Army, and the Indonesia side is represented by the 40-member Indonesian Special Forces Kopassus.
Aim of the Garud Shakti Excercise
During the exercise, the countries' special forces will try to understand each other’s standard operating procedures to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability.
Both forces will conduct joint counter-insurgency operations in urban and rural settings. They will learn from each other’s expertise in this area and develop an ability to undertake joint tactical-level operations in a Counter-Insurgency environment under the United Nations Charter.
Both sides will also undertake combined training to neutralise insurgency threats.
The bilateral exercise seeks to strengthen the military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.
History of the Exercise Garud Shakti
The India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garud Shakti was started in 2012 between the Indian Army and the Indonesian Army.
It was part of the military diplomacy between the two countries to strengthen their defence ties. The first edition of the exercise was conducted in India in 2012, and the second in Indonesia in 2013.
Normally, the exercise is held alternatively in India and Indonesia.
Samudra Shakti Excercise
The Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy conduct a joint naval exercise called “Samudra Shakti.” The first edition was held from November 13 - 19, 2018.
The 4th edition of the Samudra Shakti exercise was held in Indonesia from 14-19 May 2023
India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT)
The Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy have been carrying out India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) since 2002. It is normally conducted twice a year along the International Maritime Boundary Line between India and Indonesia.
The main aim of the exercise is to keep the Indian Ocean region free from smuggling, piracy, maritime terrorism, armed robbery, and piracy and to provide a safe and secure region for commercial shipping, international trade, and the conduct of legitimate maritime activities.
