In News:

The 10th edition of Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI, a joint Special Forces exercise between India and Indonesia, is being conducted at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

Participating Forces

• India: Troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) of the Indian Army
• Indonesia: Personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces

This exercise is part of the growing defence engagement between the two Indo-Pacific partners.

Nature of the Exercise

GARUDA SHAKTI is a bilateral Special Forces exercise designed to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between elite troops of both nations. It focuses on high-intensity combat training and realistic operational scenarios in semi-mountainous terrain.

Key Areas of Training

The exercise includes a range of tactical and operational drills relevant to modern counter-terror and special operations environments:

• Counter-terrorism tactics at the troop level
• Unarmed combat techniques
• Combat shooting and sniping
• Heliborne operations
• Planning and execution of operations involving:
  • Drones
  • Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS)
  • Loitering munitions

The training emphasisesphysical endurance, tactical coordination, and combat readiness.

Exchange of Expertise

A key component of GARUDA SHAKTI is the exchange of knowledge related to:

• Weapons and specialised equipment
• Tactical drills and operational procedures
• Best practices in special operations

Such exchanges help both sides understand each other’s operational doctrines and capabilities.

Validation Phase

The joint training culminates in a validation exercise, simulating a real-world operational scenario. This phase tests:

• Joint planning capabilities
• Coordination under stress
• Tactical response and decision-making
• Endurance and teamwork of both contingents

Strategic Significance

• Strengthens India–Indonesia defence cooperation
• Enhances interoperability between Special Forces
• Contributes to regional security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific
• Reflects India’s broader policy of deepening defence partnerships with ASEAN nations

Indonesia holds strategic importance due to its location near key Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) such as the Malacca Strait, making defence cooperation crucial for maritime and regional stability.

India’s Special Forces

The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) is among India’s most elite military units, trained for:

• Counter-terrorism
• Special reconnaissance
• Direct action missions
• High-altitude and difficult terrain operations