The joint US-Indonesian military exercises Garuda Shield 2022—hosted in Indonesia’s Sumatra and Riau islands over the past two weeks—concluded on August 14, 2022.
Garuda Shield 2022
- The drills—dubbed “Super Garuda Shield” this year given the inaugural participation of Japanese, Australian and Singaporean contingents—drew 4,000 US and Indonesian troops, with observers from nine other nations. It also comes eight months after diplomatic sparring between Beijing and Jakarta over disputed territorial waters in the South China Sea.
- The Garuda Shield military exercise from 1 to August 14 is an annual event between the US and Indonesia.
- This complements the Garuda Shakti exercise, which India and Indonesia also hold annually.
- Garuda Shield 2022 added Japan, Australia, and Singapore as active partners who contributed men and material. Observers included India, Canada, France, Malaysia, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and the UK.
Falcon Strike 2022
- Amid growing tension in the Asia Pacific region, China is holding joint Air Force exercise “Falcon Strike 2022” from August 14. The 10-day-long exercise between the two countries is taking place in Thailand’s Udon Thani city.
- According to Chinese media reports, the objective of the joint exercise is to strengthen the relationship and trust between the Air Forces of the two Asian nations.
- Additionally, it intends to advance the ongoing growth of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Thailand by deepening practical cooperation.
