Indonesia and the United States has officially kicked off the annual “Super Garuda Shield” joint military exercises on Monday, August 25, 2025, which will last until September 4 and it’s involved 13 nations.
The Annual exercises are being held in Jakarta, the western island of Sumatra, and the Riau archipelago.
More than 4,100 Indonesian troops and 1,300 American soldiers are participating.
Allies from Australia, Japan, Singapore, France, New Zealand, Britain, and other nations have joined the programme.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, called this year’s exercises “the largest Super Garuda Shield ever.”
He explained that the drills aim to enhance deterrence among participating nations.
“It represents deterring anyone that would hope to change the facts on the ground using violence,” Paparo said.
“The collective determination of all participants upholds the principles of sovereignty.
We do this by improving every day across all domains… so if the unforgiving hour comes when we need each other as partners, we pick up the phone and begin operating from a basis of deep trust.”
The programme features staff exercises, cyber defence drills, and live-fire events, the Indonesian military confirmed.
Observers from countries including India, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor are also attending.
While the drills include the United States and some allies concerned about China’s increasing assertiveness in the Pacific, officials maintain that the exercises are not targeted at Beijing.
Indonesia continues to follow a neutral foreign policy, maintaining strong ties with both Washington and Beijing, balancing diplomacy amid superpower competition.
The Super Garuda Shield exercises are part of Indonesia’s effort to strengthen regional security, improve interoperability among armed forces, and enhance readiness for multi-nation contingencies.
The drills also provide training in command coordination, cyber operations, and real-time battlefield response.
The annual exercise demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to regional stability and cooperation with global partners.
Analysts say such collaborations help participating countries build trust, share military expertise, and strengthen collective deterrence in the Asia-Pacific.
With this year’s expanded scope, the Super Garuda Shield 2025 is expected to set new benchmarks in joint military readiness. Officials hope the exercise will serve as a model for future multinational drills in the region.