Australia and Indonesia have successfully concluded Exercise Keris Woomera, the Australian Defence Force's largest overseas training activity for 2026.
The exercise brought together about 1000 ADF personnel and more than 1200 members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to conduct complex training across maritime, land, air and cyber domains.
Over nine days of combined joint training in East Java, the Bali Sea and surrounding maritime areas, the exercise strengthened interoperability between the two nations, enhancing their ability to respond to shared regional security challenges together.
The exercise also marked a number of firsts for the ADF, including the first time the high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) deployed and fired overseas, the first deployment of a RAAF 4 Squadron aircraft into South-East Asia since World War II and the first time Australia conducted cyber integration training with Indonesia.
Commander Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said the successful completion of the exercise demonstrated the strength of Australia's enduring defence relationship with Indonesia.
"Exercise Keris Woomera 26 has provided a valuable opportunity for Australia and Indonesia to train together in a realistic and demanding environment," Vice Admiral Jones said.
"By operating side-by-side, this year's iteration has shown how Australia and Indonesia can integrate to address shared security challenges and positively impact how we respond to a rapidly evolving strategic environment.
"Indonesia is an essential and enduring partner for Australia, and exercises such as Keris Woomera reinforce our deep and longstanding partnership, underpinned by trust, mutual respect and close cooperation."
'Exercises such as Keris Woomera provide tangible security benefits to both Australia and Indonesia.'
First held in 2024 and conducted biennially, Exercise Keris Woomera 26 included amphibious landing operations, live-fire activities, maritime integration between Australian and Indonesian naval forces and combined air-land training serials.
Key activities and deployed assets during Exercise Keris Woomera 26 included:
- Amphibious operations and force projection: The deployment of the Australian Amphibious Force on HMAS Choules, working alongside landing craft and a maritime tactical operations team to project and sustain combat power from sea to shore with TNI Marine infantry elements.
- Maritime Task Group integration: Tactical manoeuvres and joint training involving HMAS Perth, HMAS Stalwart, embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and an Indonesian Navy Diponegoro-class corvette alongside AS565 Panther helicopters.
- Joint land and air integration: Live-fire engagements and joint artillery integration featuring Australian Army M777 155mm Howitzers and HIMARS, alongside TNI 105mm Howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems.
- Air support operations: Close air support, forward air control and airlift missions executed by Australian PC-21 and C-130J Hercules aircraft, operating alongside TNI EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft, Bell-412 helicopters and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers.
- Joint capability integration: Specialised training incorporating defensive cyber operations teams, range control parties and Role 2 Forward treatment teams.
Exercise Keris Woomera 26 demonstrated the ability of the ADF and the TNI to integrate combined joint force elements and conduct high-end military training together.
The exercise also reinforced both nations' shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
"Exercises such as Keris Woomera provide tangible security benefits to both Australia and Indonesia," Vice Admiral Jones said.
"The experience gained strengthens our ability to move and sustain forces when required, enhances our readiness and contributes to the collective security of our region."
