Australia, Indonesia hold largest military drill, 1st since new defense pact

ISTANBUL

Australia and Indonesia are holding their largest joint military exercises, the first since the two nations signed a new defense pact in August.

Some 2,000 troops from the two militaries are participating in the Exercise Keris Woomera 2024 (KW24).

The troops launched its second phase in Indonesia on Wednesday on the Southeast Asian nation’s main island of Java.

The exercise features air, maritime, amphibious, and follow-on land operations, and a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief evacuation scenario, according to a statement by the Australian Defense Ministry.

It said KW24 “highlights the ongoing cooperation between the two countries, which was strengthened by the recent signing of the Australia-Indonesia defense cooperation agreement.”

The statement said the initial phase of the integration training took place at Robertson Barracks base in Australia’s Northern Territory.

Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) official Lt. Colonel Empri Airudin said KW24 aims to “increase the understanding and capabilities of the TNI when working with the Australian Defense Forces and interoperability between the two nations.”

“It can also be regarded as a way of maintaining security and stability in the region,” the ministry quoted Airudin as saying.

Commander of the Australian Task Force Captain Chris Doherty said this bilateral exercise will test all facets of the Australian Air Force, and allow all its components to work effectively together as a cohesive team with our Indonesian partners.

The exercises are scheduled to culminate with a combined joint live-fire exercise consisting of tanks, artillery, infantry, and attack helicopters over the coming weekend.

On Aug. 29, Australia and Indonesia signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement, which will allow for enhanced practical cooperation and interoperability between the defense forces in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian and disaster relief, logistics support, education, and training, as well as across defense industry.