The special forces of India and Indonesia on Tuesday, 3 November 2026 launched the final 48-hour validation exercise of GARUDA SHAKTI 2026 in the jungle terrain of East Java, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations. The drill, conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD), is designed to test elite troops under realistic and demanding operational conditions.

What the Validation Exercise Involves

According to the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, the 48-hour exercise will evaluate troops across a range of specialised combat skills honed over the previous week, including marksmanship, mountaineering, heli-borne operations, patrolling, and combat tracking. The drills are set in what the Embassy described as the 'harsh and unforgiving jungle terrain' of East Java.

The Embassy stated: 'Operating in a realistic scenario, these elite troops will have to work together under demanding conditions that test their endurance, tactical coordination and decision-making — all under pressure.' The validation phase is intended to cement the gains of this edition of GARUDA SHAKTI and prepare both forces for complex joint missions.

Earlier Training Phases: Drones, Tracking and Fieldcraft

Prior to the validation exercise, the joint contingent undertook simulated combat tracking exercises in jungle terrain on Saturday at Banyuwangi, Indonesia, focusing on pursuing targets through specialised reading of the ground. Troops also received training on the operational use of drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and situational awareness in dense jungle environments.

The Indian Embassy noted that Day 6 of the exercise exposed elite forces to both 'traditional fieldcraft and niche technologies,' ensuring, in the Embassy's words, that 'no trail goes cold and no threat is left unaddressed.' The integration of conventional jungle skills with modern drone deployment reflects an evolving approach to joint special forces doctrine.

Composition of the Joint Contingent

The Indian contingent comprises troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while Indonesia is represented by personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces. The exercise commenced on 27 October 2026 at Banyuwangi, with training in jungle warfare operations scheduled to run through 6 November 2026, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Strategic Significance of GARUDA SHAKTI

GARUDA SHAKTI is a recurring bilateral exercise between India and Indonesia, reflecting the deepening of defence ties under India's Act East Policy and its growing strategic engagement with ASEAN nations. This edition's focus on jungle warfare, drone integration, and joint decision-making under pressure underscores the two countries' intent to build interoperability for real-world contingencies. Notably, Indonesia's geographic profile — dense tropical forests and archipelagic terrain — makes it a strategically relevant training ground for Indian special forces.

With the validation exercise now under way, both armies are expected to consolidate the week's gains and formally conclude the exercise on 6 November 2026.