Jakarta – Indonesia's army special forces, Kopassus, has resumed a joint exercise with Australia's special forces SASR after the program was stopped in 2002.

"The joint exercise between Kopassus' 81 Gultor and SASR was code-named Dawn Kookaburra in Swan Bourne, Perth, Australia and lasts 10 days," Kopassus' general commander Major General Saiful Rizal said on the sidelines of an army leadership meeting here on Tuesday.

The exercise included attacks on buildings, raids on aircraft, snipers, react shooting, mount attacks, improvisation of explosives and procedures of troop leadership.

He said the exercise was aimed at maintaining and increasing capability as well as skills of the soldiers in combat tactics and techniques.

It was also aimed at promoting the relationship and cooperation between the Kopassus and the SASR in particular, and between the two countries in general.

Saiful said the exercise focussed on an anti-terror exercise as a manifestation of the two countries' commitment to combat terrorism.

He said the Kopassus sent 31 personnel led by Major Suhardi, the present chief of Battalion 812, to the exercise which lasted from February 13 to 23.