The United States and Indonesian militaries have recently conducted their annual joint combat exercises on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island. This year’s event was a significant mark as it included participants from multiple partner nations for the first time, amidst rising maritime activity by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Details About The Joint Military Drill
Over 5,000 soldiers from the U.S., Indonesia, Australia, Japan, and Singapore took part in the 2022 exercises. The programming was structured to boost interoperability, capacity, trust, and collaboration in support of an open and free Indo-Pacific region. The drill encompassed various military sectors such as the army, navy, air force, and marine drills and lasted until August 14th, 2022.
India’s Military Exercises with US & Indonesia
India has a rich history of engaging in military exercises with both the US and Indonesia.
With the US, India’s list of drills includes Exercise Yudh Abhyas, the most extensive ongoing joint military training and defense cooperation between India and the United States. Exercise Tiger Triumph aimed at developing interoperability for conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. Exercise Vajra Prahar is a Special Forces’ Exercise conducted alternatively between India and the United States to strengthen skills of the Special Forces of both countries.
In its engagements with Indonesia, India has been involved in Exercise Samudra Shakti (Maritime), a bilateral IN-IDN exercise conceived in 2018 as part of India’s Act East Policy. It is designed to strengthen bilateral relationships and enhance mutual understanding and interoperability in maritime operations between the two nation’s navies.
Also notable is the IND-INDO CORPAT (Maritime Exercise), a coordinated patrol that aids in building understanding and interoperability between navies, and facilitates the creation of measures to suppress and prevent Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery, and piracy.
Understanding The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary initiative. It aims to boost maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. It provides a platform for increasing maritime security cooperation, and promoting cordial relationships among member nations.
The inaugural IONS was actually held in New Delhi, India in February 2008 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy, not in 2015 as some sources might suggest. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy served as the Chairman of IONS for the period 2008-10. This corrects the record on the previous year questions of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024