Enviro News Asia, Honolulu – Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo visited the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii, on July 7, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in the field of Indonesia-US Defense Cooperation. He was received by Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel J. Paparo and his delegation.
Defense cooperation between the two countries rests on three main pillars: defense capability development and new military technology, education and training, and joint exercises and operations. In recent years, Indonesia-US defense cooperation has shown consistent growth through a range of joint exercises.
These include Gema Bhakti Exercise, focused on joint operational planning and improving readiness for increasingly complex security scenarios; CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training), involving the Indonesian Navy, US Navy, and US Marine Corps, emphasizing maritime security, interoperability, search and rescue, naval defense, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Indonesia also hosts the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK), a multinational naval exercise involving the United States and other nations, affirming the importance of multilateral maritime cooperation, disaster response, and defense diplomacy across military and civilian elements.
In air defense, cooperation is manifested through Cope West Exercise, a joint exercise between the Indonesian Air Force and the US Air Force/PACAF aimed at improving interoperability, operational capability, tactical coordination, and mutual trust. Cope West 2025 featured air maneuvers using USAF F-15 and Indonesian Air Force F-16 fighters, as well as DAGR tactical training for the Indonesian Air Force’s Kopasgat special unit.
The largest and most prominent exercise in recent years is Super Garuda Shield, which has grown into a major multinational event strengthening interoperability, joint combat readiness, and cross-service cooperation, underscoring Indonesia’s growing importance as a joint exercise hub in the Indo-Pacific region.
Tactical cooperation is further expanded through special forces and small-unit exercises, including joint training between Indonesian special forces and US Special Operations Command Pacific, as well as the Keris-MAREX exercise between the Indonesian and US Marine Corps focusing on coastal defense, maritime domain awareness, and amphibious operations. The Platoon Exchange (Platex) exercise between the two countries’ marine units also covers cross-terrain patrols, jungle and urban operations, reaction shooting, and terrain control.
During his visit to Honolulu, Ambassador Indroyono observed RIMPAC 2026, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise involving 31 nations including units of the Indonesian Navy Marine Corps.
The meeting between Ambassador Indroyono and Admiral Paparo also addressed plans for the Super Garuda Shield 2026 joint exercise, scheduled to take place in Indonesia in September 2026, which is expected to again involve armed forces from a range of friendly nations including the United States. (*)
