New Delhi [India], December 1 (ANI): The 10th edition of the India–Indonesia joint special forces exercise, Garuda Shakti, will take place from December 3–12 in Bakloh, according to the Indian Army.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding through Special Forces–specific operations, including counterterrorism drills, heliborne missions, combat shooting, drone and counter–unmanned aircraft system deployment, and surgical strike planning in semi-mountainous terrain. The Army noted that these activities will further strengthen the robust defense partnership between the two nations.
In a post on X, the Army wrote: “Exercise Garuda Shakti 2025: The 10th edition of the India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI will be conducted at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, from December 3 to 12, 2025. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding through Special Forces-specific operations, including counter-terrorism drills, heliborne missions, combat shooting, drone and C-UAS employment, and surgical strike planning in semi-mountainous terrain, further strengthening the robust defense partnership between the two nations.”
The upcoming exercise follows the recent visit of Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to India.
On Thursday, India and Indonesia agreed to deepen defense cooperation by stepping up maritime security coordination and enhancing collaboration in defense technology.
During the 3rd India–Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, discussions centered on strengthening defense industry partnerships, expanding military-to-military engagements, and reinforcing a shared strategic vision for a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
According to the Ministry of Defence, both sides reaffirmed the importance of a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and noted strong alignment between the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
They also agreed to intensify cooperation in maritime domain awareness, cyber resilience, and joint operational readiness, and to deepen engagement through regional frameworks, including the Indian Ocean Rim Association under India’s chairmanship.
Indonesia further welcomed India’s proposal to establish a Joint Defence Industry Cooperation Committee to advance work on technology transfer, joint research and development, certification harmonization, and supply-chain linkages.
Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the dialogue and committed to sustaining high-level exchanges and practical cooperation across defense and security areas to strengthen peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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