Indian and Indonesian Special Forces began the latest edition of the bilateral Garuda Shakti exercise in Banyuwangi on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, with the training programme scheduled to continue until 6 November, the Ministry of Defence said.
The Indian contingent is drawn from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while Indonesia is represented by personnel from its Indonesian Special Forces. The exercise is focused on operating in jungle terrain and is intended to improve the two contingents’ understanding of each other’s procedures during special operations.
Training focused on jungle operations
According to the Ministry of Defence, the programme includes obstacle crossing, combat marksmanship, mountaineering, air assault training and combat-hardening sessions. The two sides are also exchanging knowledge about weapons, equipment and operational practices as part of the exercise.
“The exercise aims to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of the two nations.”
The ministry said the training would conclude with a validation exercise based on realistic operational situations. That phase is intended to assess the endurance, coordination and combat readiness of both contingents, while providing an opportunity to apply the tactics and procedures practised during the earlier stages.
Exercise strengthens bilateral military engagement
An Indian Army statement said Garuda Shakti would enhance interoperability through the exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures for special operations in jungle terrain, including scenarios linked to counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism. The Indian contingent travelled to Banyuwangi on Sunday to take part in the exercise.
The exercise adds a land-forces component to a broader period of defence engagement between India and Indonesia. The Indian Coast Guard said Indian Coast Guard Ship Shaunak made a goodwill visit to Jakarta from 17 to 19 October. The port call included professional interactions and exchanges aimed at strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation and regional maritime security.
| Exercise detail | Information released by the Ministry of Defence |
|---|---|
| Location | Banyuwangi, Indonesia |
| Start date | 27 October 2026 |
| Scheduled end | 6 November 2026 |
| Indian contingent | Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) |
| Training areas | Jungle warfare and special operations |
Key areas of cooperation
- Special operations training in jungle environments
- Exchange of tactics, techniques, procedures, weapons and equipment expertise
- A final validation exercise to assess coordination and readiness
For India, the exercise provides an organised setting for its Special Forces personnel to train alongside their Indonesian counterparts in a tropical operating environment. The Ministry of Defence said the engagement would further strengthen defence cooperation and bilateral ties between the two countries.
