Indian Army Special Forces Depart for Indonesia for Exercise Garuda Shakti 2026

An Indian Army contingent comprising Special Forces personnel departed for Banyuwangi, Indonesia, on 25 October 2026 to participate in the bilateral military exercise Garuda Shakti 2026. The exercise will bring together Special Forces personnel from India and Indonesia for specialised training in jungle warfare, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

According to an announcement attributed to the Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), the exercise aims to strengthen interoperability through the exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures used in special operations. The deployment represents another step in the continuing military cooperation between India and Indonesia, with both countries seeking to improve their operational coordination and strengthen professional engagement between their armed forces.

Indian Army Special Forces Head to Banyuwangi

The Indian Army announced the departure of its Special Forces contingent for Banyuwangi in Indonesia, where personnel will participate in joint training with their Indonesian counterparts. The Army’s announcement identifies the deployment as part of the 12th edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti, a recurring bilateral military engagement focused on strengthening cooperation between the Special Forces of both countries.

The 2026 exercise will concentrate on special operations in jungle terrain, particularly under counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism scenarios. Participating personnel will exchange operational knowledge and familiarise themselves with the procedures followed by their respective forces. Such engagements help develop a common understanding of tactical methods and improve coordination during complex military operations.

Garuda Shakti provides an established framework for India and Indonesia to conduct specialised military training. The exercise allows both armies to exchange professional experience, study different operational approaches and strengthen their understanding of military procedures in challenging environments.

Specialised Training in Jungle Warfare and Counter-Terrorism

Jungle warfare will form a central component of Garuda Shakti 2026, reflecting the operational challenges associated with conducting military missions in dense forests and difficult terrain. Jungle environments present unique difficulties for military personnel because thick vegetation, restricted visibility, demanding climatic conditions and limited mobility can complicate navigation, communication and tactical coordination.

The Indian Army has stated that the bilateral training will involve the exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures relevant to special operations in such environments. Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism scenarios will provide the operational context for this professional exchange, allowing participating personnel to improve their understanding of methods used by both forces.

Special Forces operations require high levels of physical endurance, tactical proficiency, situational awareness and coordination among small military units. Training in unfamiliar environments helps personnel adapt their operational methods and develop greater familiarity with the challenges presented by different terrain and climatic conditions.

The emphasis on jungle warfare is particularly relevant to both countries because their armed forces have experience operating in geographically demanding environments. By exchanging knowledge and established military practices, the Indian and Indonesian contingents can strengthen their professional capabilities and improve their ability to coordinate during specialised operations.

Garuda Shakti Builds on Established Military Cooperation

Exercise Garuda Shakti has developed into an important component of military engagement between the Indian Army and the Indonesian Armed Forces. The bilateral exercise provides a platform for Special Forces personnel to exchange operational expertise, strengthen mutual understanding and improve their ability to work together in demanding tactical situations.

During the ninth edition of Garuda Shakti, conducted in Indonesia from 1 to 12 November 2024, the Indian Army deployed 25 personnel from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). The Indonesian contingent comprised 40 personnel from Kopassus, Indonesia’s Special Forces command. That edition focused on familiarisation with operating procedures, planning and execution of special operations, jungle warfare and counter-terrorism training.

The Ministry of Defence stated that the 2024 exercise included the exchange of information concerning weapons, equipment, innovations and operational techniques. Personnel also participated in tactical military drills and a validation exercise designed to integrate basic and advanced Special Forces skills. These activities strengthened professional cooperation and created opportunities for both contingents to share operational experience.

The tenth edition took place at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, from 3 to 12 December 2025. The Indian contingent again comprised personnel from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while Indonesia was represented by its Special Forces. The exercise focused on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous terrain and included specialised tactical training.

These successive engagements demonstrate the continuing importance of Garuda Shakti as a platform for military cooperation. The recurring interaction enables both armed forces to build on previous training experiences while adapting their joint activities to different operational environments.

Previous Exercises Incorporated Advanced Military Skills

The Ministry of Defence’s official account of Garuda Shakti 2025 illustrates the range of specialised skills incorporated into the bilateral training programme. The exercise covered unarmed combat techniques, combat shooting, sniping and heliborne operations, alongside the exchange of knowledge concerning weapons and operational practices.

The 2025 training programme also included planning related to drone operations, counter-unmanned aircraft systems and loitering munition strikes. These components reflected the growing importance of unmanned technologies and integrated tactical planning in modern military operations. The participating contingents conducted high-intensity combat training and tactical drills before undertaking a validation exercise designed to assess coordination, endurance and operational readiness.

While these activities formed part of the 2025 edition, they illustrate the technical scope that Garuda Shakti has developed over successive exercises. The confirmed focus for the 2026 engagement is the exchange of special operations techniques in jungle terrain under counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism scenarios.

India–Indonesia Defence Partnership Continues to Strengthen

India and Indonesia share longstanding historical, cultural and diplomatic relations, supported by cooperation across several strategic sectors. Defence engagement forms an important part of their bilateral relationship, with military exercises and professional exchanges contributing to stronger institutional connections between their armed forces.

As two major maritime nations in the Indo-Pacific region, India and Indonesia recognise the importance of maintaining regular defence dialogue and military-to-military cooperation. Their bilateral training programmes provide opportunities to develop professional familiarity, exchange practical experience and strengthen mutual confidence.

Garuda Shakti contributes to this relationship by concentrating on the operational requirements of Special Forces personnel. Unlike broader military engagements, the exercise focuses on specialised tactical capabilities and the procedures required for complex missions. This professional interaction enables personnel to learn from the experience of their counterparts while strengthening the institutional relationship between the two armies.

The 2026 deployment to Indonesia continues this established pattern of military cooperation. By conducting specialised training in jungle terrain, the two countries are reinforcing a partnership that supports professional military development and closer defence engagement.

Garuda Shakti 2026 Reinforces Bilateral Military Cooperation

The departure of Indian Army Special Forces for Indonesia marks another important milestone in the ongoing Garuda Shakti exercise series. The bilateral engagement will provide personnel from both countries with an opportunity to exchange specialised operational knowledge and strengthen their understanding of jungle warfare, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism procedures.

Building on earlier editions conducted in India and Indonesia, Garuda Shakti 2026 will continue the exchange of professional military experience between the two nations. The focus on interoperability reflects the importance both armies attach to coordinated training, tactical proficiency and mutual understanding.

The exercise reinforces the growing depth of India–Indonesia defence relations and highlights the value of sustained military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Through regular training exchanges and specialised professional engagement, India and Indonesia continue to strengthen the bonds between their armed forces and advance their shared commitment to regional security and stability.

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References

1. Indian Army — Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI): Announcement dated 25 October 2026 concerning the departure of Indian Army Special Forces personnel for Exercise Garuda Shakti in Banyuwangi, Indonesia, as reproduced in contemporary reporting.
2. Ministry of Defence, Government of India: India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garuda Shakti Commences in Himachal Pradesh, Press Information Bureau, 4 December 2025.
   https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2198755
3. Ministry of Defence, Government of India: Indian Army Special Forces Contingent Departs for Indonesia for Joint Exercise Garud Shakti, Press Information Bureau, 1 November 2024.
   https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2069969
4. Ministry of Defence, Government of India: Indian Army Special Forces Commence Joint Exercise Garuda Shakti with Indonesian Special Forces at Sangga Buana Training Area, Karawang, Indonesia, Press Information Bureau, 23 November 2022.
   https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1878228

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