The joint military exercise Super Garuda Shield 2025 began in Jakarta on Monday, August 25, 2025, bringing together 6,500 personnel from Indonesia and 12 other participating and observing nations aimed at strengthening cooperation, interoperability, and shared commitment to peace and stability.

The 10-day exercise, considered as one of the largest multinational military collaborations in the region, will last until September 3, 2025.

Deputy Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander, General Tandyo Budi Revita, said the exercise symbolizes unity, professionalism, and international friendship.

“This is not a mere military exercise, but a platform of trust, a bridge of friendship, and a shining beacon of our shared commitment to maintain peace and stability,” General Tandyo, on behalf of TNI chief General Agus Subiyanto, said while addressing the opening ceremony.

The opening event was attended by senior military officials and representatives from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, India, Papua New Guinea, and Cambodia, as well as members of Foreign Affairs and Defense Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR).

This year’s exercise will be conducted in Jakarta, Dabo Singkep in Riau Islands, and Baturaja in South Sumatra, focusing on joint operations to uphold Indonesia’s sovereignty and regional stability.

General Tandyo emphasized that the 2025 exercise builds on the success of last year’s event and is being carried out on a larger scale with broader participation, including operational-level drills, cyber defense training, and field exercises to strengthen interoperability among nations.

“Today’s world faces increasingly complex security challenges, from natural disasters to cyber threats, from regional tensions to global uncertainty. This exercise serves as a platform to train together, stand shoulder-to-shoulder, and respond to every challenge quickly and effectively,” he said.

The ceremony concluded with official declaration of the joint exercise's commencement, with General Tandyo expressing hope that it would strengthen unity, enhance readiness, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Navy Admiral Samuel John Paparo Jr, Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), praised the exercise as a testament to deepening military collaboration across air, land, sea, space, cyber, and information domains.

“This represents a collective commitment to friendship and to the obligations of our nations through the lens of mutual respect,” Paparo said in his address.

The exercise focuses not only on tactical and operational readiness but also on building trust and lasting partnerships among military leaders − from senior officers to young emerging leaders.

“If an unforgiving moment comes, we meet each other as partners, pick up the phone, and operate from a foundation of close trust,” he emphasized.

Indonesia leads this year’s expanded drills, which include multinational staff exercises, cyber defense training, and field operations. The USINDOPACOM representative thanked the Indonesian Military and all partner nations for making this year’s event the largest and most comprehensive in the series.