Indian Special Forces Join Indonesian Kopassus for Joint Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 in Jakarta

Jakarta, Indonesia - A 25-member contingent from Indian Army departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, to participate in ninth edition of joint special forces exercise, GARUD SHAKTI 24. Scheduled from vember 1st to vember 12th, 2024, exercise brings toger elite soldiers from both nations’ Special Forces to strengn military cooperation and share best practices in combat and tactical operations.

Indian team is represented by highly skilled troops from Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while Indonesian contingent of 40 personnel is drawn from prestigious Indonesian Special Forces unit, Kopassus. Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 is focused on enhancing mutual understanding, trust, and interoperability between Special Forces of India and Indonesia. exercise will promote camarerie and help both sides understand each or’s operational techniques, aiming to improve capacity for joint operations in real-world scenarios. 

Brigier General Joko Prihanto of Indonesian Army and Colonel Rajiv Men of Indian Army both emphasized that this exercise t only reinforces bilateral ties but also provides essential exposure to each country's operating procedures, strengning bonds and enhancing operational efficiency. “ synergy and skills shared through GARUD SHAKTI demonstrate our joint commitment to regional security and counter-terrorism initiatives,” ted Brigier General Prihanto.

Key Elements of Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24  

GARUD SHAKTI 24 is structured to simulate high-intensity combat scenarios, including special operations planning, vanced tactical maeuvres, and execution of complex missions. Both armies will rehearse se drills to ensure seamless coordination in joint operations. Key elements of exercise include:  

• Tactical Military Drills and Planning: Teams will participate in tactical and strategic discussions to align and integrate operational standards, highlighting each force’s best practices.  
• vanced Special Forces Skills: exercise will serve as an orientation to vanced special forces skills, with both armies demonstrating and practising critical maeuvres in Special Forces Operations.  
• Weapon and Equipment Familiarization: Both contingents will exchange kwledge on weaponry, equipment, and recent invations to furr enhance combat capabilities. ditionally, troops will discuss tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), gaining insights into each or’s equipment handling and maintenance practices.  
• Joint Operations in Jungle Terrain: participating forces will conduct Special Forces operations specifically in dense jungle terrain. This segment includes mission rehearsals such as infiltration, navigation, and strikes on simulated terrorist camps, testing soldiers’ aptability and coordination in challenging environments.  
• Validation Exercise: event will culminate in a final Validation Exercise, where combined teams will demonstrate basic and vanced skills in a coordinated simulation, designed to test efficacy of joint force in a real-world operational scenario.  

Strengning Bonds and Building Shared Security Objectives  

GARUD SHAKTI 24 goes beyond tactical operations to foster a deeper understanding of both countries’ cultures and lifestyles, promoting camarerie between soldiers of two nations. Both contingents will take part in social and cultural exchanges, aiming to build a foundation of friendship that enhances trust and cooperation beyond battlefield.

Colonel Men commented on significance of exercise, ting that such collaborations offer invaluable experience, allowing soldiers to learn from each or and incorporate diverse perspectives into ir operations. “Exercise GARUD SHAKTI is a prime example of our shared commitment to security and our resolve to dress mutual challenges through cooperation and tactical reiness,” he ded.  

Regional Security and Bilateral Relations  

Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 is a testament to strengning of defence ties between India and Indonesia. India and Indonesia, as friendly nations with shared strategic interests, have been committed to bilateral military engments that enhance operational effectiveness and dress evolving security concerns.  

This edition of GARUD SHAKTI is expected to pave way for expanded defence cooperation and future joint military initiatives. kwledge and skills exchanged during this exercise will benefit both forces, building a robust foundation for operational reiness and tactical invation.