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Indonesia, US start 13-nation ‘Super Garuda Shield’ military drills

More than 4,100 Indonesian and 1,300 American troops will take part in this year’s ‘largest ever’ drills, aimed at boosting deterrence

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Military chiefs from the US, Indonesia and Canada at the opening ceremony of the “Super Garuda Shield” drills on Monday. Photo:AP
Agence France-Presse
Indonesia and the United States launched joint military drills on Monday that will last more than a week, joining allies from 11 countries in exercises aimed at ensuring stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

The annual “Super Garuda Shield” drills will take place in the capital, Jakarta, and several locations on the western island of Sumatra and the Riau archipelago until September 4.

This year’s exercises focused on strengthening regional ties in an increasingly unstable global landscape, said Armed Forces Deputy Commander Tandyo Budi Revita.

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“It serves as a joint exercise where we stand together to respond every challenge quickly and precisely,” he said in his speech at the kick-off ceremony.

More than 4,100 Indonesian and 1,300 American troops will take part, joined by participants from Australia, Japan, Singapore, France, New Zealand, Britain and other nations.
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The US and some allies such as Australia have expressed growing concern about China’s increasing assertiveness in the Pacific, but Washington has previously said such drills are not aimed at Beijing.
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