• Saudi Arabia, Germany, India, and other countries are sending observers.
• The exercises aim to strengthen bilateral and multilateral military ties.
• The exercises reflect a rising number of cyber threats in the region.

On Monday, thousands of Indonesian and American soldiers, along with military personnel from several other countries, began their annual training exercises. Commanders stated that these exercises aim to strengthen unity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Super Garuda Shield exercises, which first took place in 2007 with only Indonesian and American troops, have now expanded to include 20 additional countries this year.

Defense forces from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and New Zealand are participating in the drills. Additionally, Saudi Arabia, Germany, India, and other countries are sending observers.

Maman Firmansyah, director of Super Garuda Shield Training from the Indonesian Army, said that the two-week exercises in East Java, West Java, and South Sumatra aim to strengthen both bilateral and multilateral military ties.

“The 2024 Super Garuda Shield joint exercises can serve as a momentum of strategic benefit to all participating countries,” Firmansyah said during the opening ceremony in Surabaya, East Java on Monday.

“(It) is the confidence-building measure to strengthen the bilateral and multilateral military relations … with important materials on the exercise including … cyber(security) exercise.”

The new exercise reflects a rising number of cyber threats in the region, including a ransomware attack on Indonesia’s temporary national data center in June. This attack crippled several public services, including immigration processing at the country’s airports.

Joseph Harris, commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard, called the annual joint drills with Indonesia “one of the most important exercises” in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Our collaboration during events like this demonstrates our resolve and commitment as like-minded partners for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Harris said.

This year, the joint combat exercises will continue until September 6.

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