Building military might with Indonesia
"Senang bertugas dengan anda [Happy to work with you]!"
That was the rousing message as senior Australian and Indonesian military leaders gathered at the opening ceremony for Exercise Keris Woomera, the ADF’s largest overseas training exercise this year.
About 1000 ADF soldiers, sailors and aviators will engage in amphibious warfare activities, integration training and a live-fire exercise with more than 1200 members of the Indonesian Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, or TNI) from October 12 to 20.
HMAS Choules hosted the opening ceremony in Banyuwangi, a major port town in East Java, with the nations’ military leaders exchanging warm words and cultural artefacts.
AirMshl Ramot Sinaga described Australia and Indonesia as “very best friends” and “best neighbours”.
“Exercise Keris Woomera is about our two countries building together to make a better life for our people,” AirMshl Ramot said.
“We are very best friends and best neighbours and it is very important to be operational together to secure the region.”
Almost 300 Australian soldiers from 2RAR, an infantry battalion in Townsville, are part of the Australian Amphibious Force embarked in HMAS Choules for the exercise, eager to engage in high-end warfighting and amphibious combat training with their Indonesian counterparts.
HMA ships Perth and Stalwart are part of the Task Group participating in the activity, reflecting Australia’s strengthening ties with its biggest neighbour, and shared goals of a safe and secure region.
Commander Australian Amphibious Force Capt Chris Doherty, RAN, said Exercise Keris Woomera marked a new chapter in a partnership “that has grown in strength, trust and purpose”.
“It is not simply an exercise,” Capt Doherty said.
“It is a demonstration of what two committed partners can achieve when we work together for our common interests, our shared security and our collective future.
“When our nations train together, plan together and operate together, we show that stability in our region is not an abstract idea – it is something we build with discipline, commitment and unity.”
More than 80 Indonesian marines will embark in HMAS Choules during the exercise to integrate with their 2RAR counterparts.
“This is about integrating our forces at sea and projecting that combined force from the sea to the shore,” Capt Doherty said.
“It’s really important we can combine our forces to respond to any contingency or situation in the region or to defend either of our homelands.
“Together we are stronger and a much more capable force. That’s how we achieve the mission.”
Australian Defence Attache in Indonesia Brig Micah Batt said the two nations' defence relationship had matured considerably over the past 81 years.
“It is founded on mutual respect, trust and a shared commitment to regional security and stability,” Brig Batt said.
Exercise Keris Woomera was first conducted in 2022 and has expanded in 2026 to include the Indonesian Air Force and Army, as well as cyber operations.
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