Exercise success from sea to shore

It was an explosive end to the ADF’s largest overseas training activity for 2026 with the first international deployment and firing of the high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS).

Exercise Keris Woomera 26 concluded with a powerful combined joint live-fire demonstration, showcasing the growing interoperability between the ADF and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, or TNI).

ADF and TNI personnel operated side by side on the range, delivering coordinated effects across land and air domains in a clear demonstration of the strength of the Australia-Indonesia defence partnership.

Commander Landing Force COL Mark Tutton said the exercise’s success was built on close integration, detailed planning and strong relationships between the two militaries.

“Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important strategic and defence partners,” COL Tutton said.

“We share common values and security and prosperity interests, so it is very important to work and train together so we are prepared and can respond to regional security issues and crises if required.

“Keris Woomera is a key element of Australia’s and Indonesia’s defence partnership. It strengthens interoperability, deepens relationships and demonstrates our collective ability to adapt to the rapidly evolving strategic landscape.”

COL Tutton said the first overseas deployment of the HIMARS system was a highlight of the exercise, marking a significant step forward in Australia’s long-range strike capability.

“This is a significant milestone for the Australian Defence Force,” COL Tutton said.

“To be able to forward deploy a long-range strike capability into our region, with the cooperation of our partners, greatly enhances our ability to help protect the peace and stability of our region.”

The live-fire activity featured an array of Australian and Indonesian capabilities. TNI assets included the Super Tucano aircraft, RM-70 Vampire 122mm multiple launch rocket system, 105mm howitzers, RPGs, snipers and small arms. The ADF further contributed M777 155mm howitzers, the Javelin guided missile system, mortars, snipers and small arms.

Held over nine days, Exercise Keris Woomera brought together about 1000 ADF personnel and more than 1200 TNI members to conduct complex training across maritime, land, air and cyber domains.

In the maritime component, HMAS Choules embarked more than 80 TNI marines to conduct integration training ahead of a beach landing assault, strengthening the ability of both forces to project combat power from sea to the shore.

Commander Amphibious Task Force CAPT Chris Doherty said cooperation between the two nations’ naval and amphibious forces was critical to ensuring they could operate effectively together in both peacetime and crisis.

“The Australian amphibious force is an important capability for Australia and is ready to respond to any contingency in our region,” CAPT Doherty said.

“Keris Woomera ensures we can do that not only independently, but alongside our Indonesian partners.

“It demonstrates to the region that together we are stronger, more connected and capable of projecting force and power off the Australian and Indonesian stations if we need to.”

See more images from Exercise Keris Woomera.