US, Indonesia Launch Super Garuda Shield Military Exercises

The United States and Indonesia launched the annual Super Garuda Shield military exercises on August 31, 2026, bringing together more than 4,700 personnel from 13 partner nations in a display of regional defense cooperation. The multinational drills, which will run through September 11, are taking place across several locations in Indonesia, including Bandung, South Sumatra, and Kalimantan. The exercises, which have been held annually since 2007, were officially opened at the Indonesian Armed Forces School of Command in Bandung. This year's iteration involves troops from countries including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, and Britain. Eight additional nations, including India for the first time, are participating as observers. While the total troop count is slightly lower than the record 5,400 participants in 2025, the number of participating nations has reached a new high. Major General Patrick Ellis, commanding general of the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division, emphasized the strategic importance of the drills. "The security landscape of the Indo-Pacific is complex and readiness cannot be surged when a crisis begins," Ellis said.