Bagus Saragih, Jakarta – As many as 45 Indonesian Army personnel are set to participate in a joint military exercise with the Indian Army in Nhan Camp, India, from March 20 to April 2.
The Indonesian delegation will consist of 29 personnel from the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), 13 from the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) and three from the Army's Aviation Center (Penerbad).
Kostrad's Para Raider 501 Infantry Battalion personnel lie on the ground during a field training in Cilodong, West Java, on Friday.(Courtesy of Kostrad/File)
"The joint exercise is part of the good bilateral relations between Indonesia and India in the military sector. We also aim to improve cooperation between the Indonesian Army and the Indian Army," Kostrad spokesman Lt. Col. Agus Bhakti said on Friday, as quoted in a statement.
Personnel from Kostrad's Para Raider 501 Infantry Battalion, who will represent the force, had been intensifying training in Cilodong, West Java, ahead of their departure to India, he added.
The training comprised exercises like short-range battle, demolition, shooting, survival as well as fast roping and rappelling. The so-called Garuda-Shakti exercise is held annually. Last year, it was conducted in Magelang, Central Java.