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GARUDA SHAKTI 2026: India and Indonesia special forces begin jungle exercise at Banyuwangi

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The 11th edition of the India-Indonesia joint special forces exercise GARUDA SHAKTI began at Banyuwangi in Indonesia on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, and will run until 6 November, the Ministry of Defence said in a PIB release.

GARUDA SHAKTI: Indian and Indonesian special forces troops at the opening of the exercise at Banyuwangi
Indian and Indonesian special forces troops at the opening of the exercise at Banyuwangi Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

Indonesia and India: who is taking part in GARUDA SHAKTI

The Indian contingent is drawn from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Indonesian side comprises personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces, the ministry said. The exercise aims to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the special forces of the two countries. Banyuwangi is on the eastern tip of the island of Java. This is the 11th edition of the exercise, the ministry said, and the training is being held from 27 October to 6 November 2026.

Key Facts

  • Edition: 11th GARUDA SHAKTI
  • Venue: Banyuwangi, Indonesia
  • Dates: 27 Oct to 6 Nov 2026
  • India: Parachute Regiment (Special Forces)
  • Also: 1TS (INS Tir, INS Sujata, ICGS Sarathi) at Colombo from 26 Oct

Jungle warfare training and validation

Training focuses on tactics, techniques and procedures for special operations in jungle terrain, including obstacle crossing, combat marksmanship, mountaineering, air assault training and combat-hardening sessions, according to the release. The two sides will also exchange expertise and information on weapons, equipment and operational practices. The joint training will end with a validation exercise designed to simulate realistic operational scenarios and test the endurance, coordination and combat readiness of both contingents. The ministry said the exercise will further strengthen defence cooperation and bilateral relations between India and Indonesia. The release did not give the size of either contingent.

A ship of the First Training Squadron enters Colombo harbour
A ship of the First Training Squadron enters Colombo harbour Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

Navy training squadron reaches Colombo

In a separate deployment this week, ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron, INS Tir, INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, arrived at Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 26 October and were given a ceremonial welcome by the Sri Lanka Navy, another PIB release said. Sri Lanka Navy’s Director General of Naval Training and Commander of the Eastern Naval Area met the sea trainees on board. During the port call, the two navies will hold cross-training visits and a passage exercise (PASSEX), and the ships will be open to the public. The ministry linked the visit to India’s MAHASAGAR vision of mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions. Earlier, the Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy completed SIMBEX-2026 off Visakhapatnam on 26 October, PIB said. The ministry said the interaction on arrival gave Sri Lankan officers a chance to exchange views with the trainees on professional naval training, and that cross-training visits will let personnel learn each other’s practices and procedures. Community outreach activities are also planned during the port call, it said. PIB said the visit gives the two navies an opportunity for professional interaction and for engagement with the sea trainees under training with the squadron.

Why It Matters: Joint jungle training with Indonesia, a key maritime neighbour, builds ties and readiness for operations in similar terrain.

Also on TrendDesh: SIMBEX-2026 ends at Visakhapatnam: Indian and Singapore navies drill in the Bay of Bengal · INS Trishul reaches Civitavecchia in Italy after a passage exercise with the Italian Navy

Source: PIB: GARUDA SHAKTI · PIB: First Training Squadron in Colombo · Indian Army

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