Media Release
3 August 2022
The Australian Defence Force will for the first time participate in Exercise Garuda Shield. A two-week joint military exercise historically held between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and US Indo-Pacific Command.
Lieutenant General Simon Stuart who became Chief of the Australian Army on 2 July 2022, is currently in Indonesia to attend the opening ceremony of Exercise Garuda Shield at Baturaja, South Sumatera, Indonesia.
Lieutenant General Stuart said, “It was a priority to make Indonesia my first overseas engagement since commencing in this role. It is important that the existing cooperation between our two Armies continues to increase further.”
“Australia will focus on exercises as a vehicle to continue to improve military responsiveness and build cooperative ties with Indonesia. By bringing our forces together, we will continue to build enduring confidence and trust,” added Lieutenant General Stuart.
90 Australian troops will participate in the exercise, enabling a focus on combined arms interoperability through the opportunity to train with the Indonesian military, and in doing so, strengthening the Australia – Indonesia bilateral military relationship. An infantry company from the 5th Battalion of the 1st Combat Brigade in Darwin, as well as observers from Special Operations Command and Combat Training Centre will be participating in the exercise.
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