Exercise Keris Woomera 26 is the commencement of the event in Banyuwangi, East Java, where both Australia and Indonesia have kicked off their military drills. This exercise happens to be the largest overseas training exercise for the Australian Army in 2022, scheduled between October 12 and 20.

The large-scale biennial exercise involves around 1,000 ADF personnel and 1,235 Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, or TNI) personnel. The operation takes place for the first time in 2024 and will include an amphibious landing in East Java, live-fire exercises on TNI guns, and complex maritime integration.

The exercise strengthens the strong security relationship and mutual trust among the neighbouring countries, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Commander Joint Operations, said. The partnership underlines common interests agreed upon in various regional treaties such as 2006 Lombok Treaty, Defence Cooperation Agreement (2024), and the recently signed Treaty on Common Security (Jakarta Treaty) (2026).

Australia has sent a large force of military equipment to support the operation. The Australian Amphibious Force sailed aboard HMAS Choules with HMAS Perth and HMAS Stalwart, Royal Australian Navy.

Aerial support provided by the Royal Australian Air Force consists of a C-130J Hercules and No. 4 Squadron PC-21 aircraft. The Australian Army is also prominently involved performing ground operations, including M777 Howitzers and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

Vice Admiral Jones said that the Indo-Pacific region is a challenging geographic and environmental region for military sustainment and deployment. Exercise Keris Woomera is an important training opportunity for both countries to surmount the obstacles together, carrying out complex serials that build joint capacity to thwart military coercion in the region.