Gembong Hanung, Jakarta – Japan and the United States have exchanged a commitment to bolstering security in the Indo-Pacific region, as both countries are among those participating in annual military drills hosted by Indonesia over the next two weeks.
The 2025 Super Garuda Shield, which kicked off on Monday, will run until Sept. 3 in Jakarta and Sumatra and convene around 6,000 troops from host Indonesia and co-host the US and 11 participating countries such as Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Another 11 nations will send observers.
The Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) hosted a reception on Sunday evening in Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta, where its tank-landing ship JS Osumi (LST-4001) docked for the event.
Japanese ambassador to Indonesia Yasushi Masaki said that Japan's presence in the military drills reflected Indonesia's strategic position for both Japan and the US, whose alliance is considered a cornerstone for Tokyo.
This year, for the first time, Japan deployed its air and naval defense force to join the exercise, before previously only deploying its army.
"This opportunity will further enhance the deterrence and response capacities of the Japan-US alliance in Indonesia," Masaki said.
The US embassy in Jakarta charge d'affaires Peter M. Haymond said that Super Garuda Shield demonstrated collective effort towards military modernization and capacity development among participating countries.
"But perhaps more importantly, these exercises are about building trust between partner nations, trust that when the crisis comes, we'll be able to know who to call and how to work together to effectively protect the security of our peoples and the region," Haymond said.
He added that US participation in the exercise also highlighted Washington's commitment to a "free and open Indo-Pacific" region.
The US and some allies such as Australia have expressed growing concern about China's increasing assertiveness in the Pacific, but Washington has previously said such drills are not aimed at Beijing, AFP reported.
Indonesia, meanwhile, has long maintained a neutral stance in its foreign policy, amid the superpower rivalry between China and the US.
Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, described this year's Super Garuda Shield as the biggest ever, where military personnel will practice in all domains together, including in battling against cyber threats.
Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, chief of staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, said that Japan "will continue to visit the Southeast Asia region, taking every opportunity to contribute to the stability in this region and we will make an effort to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific".
First held in 2007, the Garuda Shield started as a bilateral joint exercise between the US and Indonesian armies before inviting participants and observers from other countries in 2022.
According to Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesperson Maj. Gen. Kristomei Sianturi, some locations of the 2025 drills include Dabo Singkep in Riau Islands and Baturaja in South Sumatra, where there will be fire and agility exercises involving both the army and air forces.
Kristomei said that the joint military exercise has never been intended to deter China's presence in the region, but rather serves to increase cooperation and military capabilities among participating countries.
Source: https://asianews.network/japan-us-deepen-indo-pacific-ties-through-military-drills-with-indonesia