Prelims
Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI
Context: The 11th edition of the India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘GARUDA SHAKTI’ commenced at Banyuwangi, Indonesia.
About Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI:
What it is?
- A bilateral joint special forces military exercise conducted alternately between the Indian Army and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia), designed to advance tactical synergy, mutual understanding, and combined operational capabilities in unconventional warfare.
Host: Indonesia.
Participating Members: India and Indonesia.
Aim
To strengthen India–Indonesia defence cooperation, improve military interoperability and exchange counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism expertise through joint special forces training.
Key Features of Garuda Shakti:
- Jungle Warfare Training: Focuses on survival, tracking, concealment and tactical movement in dense tropical forests, strengthening combat readiness in challenging terrain.
- Advanced Tactical Drills: Includes combat shooting, military mountaineering, Close Quarter Battle (CQB) and heliborne operations to enhance special forces capabilities.
- Weapons and Technology Exchange: Facilitates knowledge-sharing on sniper systems, night-vision devices, communication equipment and specialised weapons, improving operational coordination.
- 48-Hour Validation Exercise: Concludes with a 48-hour simulated combat exercise testing endurance, stealth operations, hostage rescue and counter-terrorism response.
Significance:
- Deepens India–Indonesia defence ties and reinforces India’s strategic engagement with ASEAN through joint military cooperation.
- Improves military interoperability near strategic maritime chokepoints, including the Malacca and Sunda Straits, strengthening regional security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
