Indonesia, Australia launch largest-ever joint military drill

This photo shows Indonesian marines taking part in an Indonesia-Australia joint amphibious landing exercise at Banongan beach in Situbondo, East Java province, Indonesia, 13 Nov. 2024. EPA-Yonhap

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - About 2,000 Indonesian and Australian troops began their largest-ever joint military exercise on Wednesday in East Java's Situbondo region, featuring tanks, attack helicopters, and combined air, sea, landing, and ground operations, the Jakarta Post reported.

The four-day "Keris Umerah 2024" exercise follows a defense cooperation agreement signed in August, with Indonesian Commander Empri Airudin stating "this exercise aims to build trust between Indonesia and Australia and strengthen partnership to enhance capabilities and interoperability of both forces" and that it serves as "a way to maintain security and stability in the region."

The drill comes shortly after Indonesia conducted joint exercises with Russia and strengthened defense cooperation with China, reflecting President-elect Prabowo Subianto's priority on military enhancement while maintaining strategic independence from Western allies. However, tensions persist with China over the North Natuna Sea, where Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly entered Indonesia's exclusive economic zone.

AJP