Indonesia-led exercise strengthens defense cooperation, cybersecurity and disaster response.

Indonesia is hosting Super Garuda Shield (SGS) 2026, a multinational military exercise involving 4,743 personnel from 21 countries from August 31 to September 11, 2026. The Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) is conducting the exercise to test operational readiness, strengthen defense diplomacy and enhance participants’ ability to respond to security challenges.

The exercise is taking place in Bandung, Jakarta, Lampung, Baturaja in South Sumatra, and Nunukan in North Kalimantan. TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto said the exercise includes 12 activities that promote diplomacy, cooperation and the exchange of capabilities.

“Super Garuda Shield is held every year in Indonesia. This year, 21 countries are participating, with a total of 4,743 personnel taking part in 12 exercise activities,” General Agus said in Bandung on Monday.

The participating countries are Indonesia, the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, India, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Cambodia, Canada, South Korea, Laos, New Zealand, France, Singapore, ������, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

The exercise also focuses on cybersecurity, which General Agus identified as an important capability for the TNI. He said the TNI established its cyber unit about three years ago and is using SGS 2026 to exchange capabilities with partner countries through cyber command-post exercises.

“For example, within the TNI, we have only had a cyber unit for three years. Here, we are conducting cyber command-post exercises with other countries, along with other exercises,” he said.

Alongside military and cyber training, SGS 2026 is strengthening its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) component. Participants are conducting a natural disaster exercise in North Kalimantan, adding disaster response to the multinational training.

“This year, we have added a natural disaster exercise in North Kalimantan,” General Agus said.

The exercise will conclude in Jakarta on September 11. By combining military, cybersecurity and disaster-response training, SGS 2026 strengthens cooperation and shared capabilities among participating countries, supporting greater preparedness, regional stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific.

Source: ANTARA News

Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier is expected to arrive from Italy in mid-September.

Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier, the former Italian Navy vessel ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi, is expected to arrive in Indonesia in September and enter service with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) as KRI Gajah Mada.

The vessel departed Italy on Aug. 24 and is expected to reach Indonesia between Sept. 15 and 20, according to Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali. The voyage will take more than 20 days, with the ship passing through the Suez Canal and Red Sea under the escort of Italian frigates.

Until it reaches Indonesia, the vessel will retain the name ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi and continue to sail under the Italian flag. Upon arrival, it will first berth in Jakarta for a formal handover ceremony before proceeding to its new base in Lampung.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense said the Jakarta handover will include the signing of a grant document and will be carried out by the Indonesian Navy. Brigadier General Sirait, chief of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense’s Public Relations and Information Bureau, said the vessel would proceed to Lampung after the Jakarta formalities.

Preparations for the Lampung base are meanwhile nearing completion. First Admiral Tunggul, head of the Indonesian Navy’s Information Service, said construction had entered its finishing phase.

“Regarding the readiness of the base infrastructure in Lampung, we have entered the finishing phase. The process is expected to be concluded by Garibaldi’s arrival in Indonesia,” First Admiral Tunggul said.

First Admiral Tunggul added that the facility was expected to be fully ready and operational by the end of September, although he did not disclose its detailed specifications.

Once the vessel arrives in Indonesia, it will be renamed KRI Gajah Mada and switch from the Italian flag to Indonesia’s red-and-white flag. The change is planned to be formally marked on Sept. 25, when Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend the vessel’s inauguration and flag-raising ceremony.

“Its name is still ITS Garibaldi for the time being, bearing the Italian flag. However, the vessel will switch to Indonesia’s red-and-white flag and be renamed KRI Gajah Mada once it has arrived here,” Admiral Ali said.

Following its entry into Indonesian service, KRI Gajah Mada is expected to support a range of naval and joint military activities. Admiral Ali said the vessel will eventually be capable of operating helicopters from the Indonesian Navy, Air Force and Army, while the Navy will train pilots to conduct landings on the ship.

The aircraft carrier is also planned to make its debut during the 81st anniversary of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) in October. It is expected to join a sailing pass alongside Indonesian Navy vessels and serve as a VVIP platform for President Prabowo, ministers and senior TNI officials during the naval parade.

As the former Giuseppe Garibaldi prepares to begin its new chapter as KRI Gajah Mada, its arrival will mark a significant milestone for the Indonesian Navy, with the vessel set to take part in future naval activities and joint operations involving Indonesia’s armed forces.

Source: ANTARA News

More than 1,000 organisations take part in a two-week national exercise to prepare Singapore for digital disruptions and power outages.

The third edition of Singapore’s national-level Total Defence exercise, Exercise SG Ready (ESR) 2026, officially kicked off today at the Total Defence Commemoration Event (TDCE) held at Our Tampines Hub. Over the next two weeks, more than 1,000 organisations across Singapore will participate in simulated activities to test readiness for disruptions.

The launch event was attended by Minister for Digital Development and Information Mrs Josephine Teo and Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad, together with community leaders and representatives from participating organisations. The exercise focuses on strengthening preparedness for degraded digital connectivity and prolonged power outages.

In her speech, Mrs Josephine Teo said preparedness is a shared responsibility. She highlighted the role of businesses, individuals, and communities in Total Defence, alongside the SAF and Home Team. She also unveiled the pilot National Simulated Scams Exercise (NSSE), a joint initiative by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the Ministry of Home Affairs, aimed at strengthening public awareness and resilience against scams.

As part of the launch, the Public Warning System (PWS) “Important Message” signal was broadcast islandwide at 3.00pm. The Land Transport Authority also conducted a pilot test of Broadcast Alert Messages via ERP 2.0 On-Board Units, with motorists receiving alerts ahead of the PWS activation.

Following the signal, a Total Defence message by Coordinating Minister for National Security Mr K Shanmugam was aired across all local radio stations and free-to-air television channels. He reminded Singaporeans of recent cyber threats to critical infrastructure and attempts by foreign actors to undermine trust, calling on the public to take part in the exercise and be prepared for evolving threats.

A pilot Community Mobilisation activity was also conducted at two HDB blocks in Tampines. During a simulated scenario involving prolonged power outages and disrupted digital services, Total Defence Champions worked with People’s Association Community Emergency Response Team (PA CERT) volunteers to reach out to residents, share key information, and identify households requiring assistance.

Exercise SG Ready 2026 runs from 1 February to 15 February 2026 and is co-led by MINDEF, together with IMDA, EMA, PA, and SCDF. The exercise encourages individuals, communities, and organisations to plan for disruptions, prepare to respond, and play their part in keeping Singapore safe and resilient.

Members of the public can find more information and check activities near them on the Exercise SG Ready website.

Source: MINDEF

MINDEF/SAF marks a major sustainability milestone with the opening of its first solar farm, boosting energy resilience and green efforts.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) have achieved a key sustainability milestone with the completion of their first solar farm at Sembawang Air Base (SBAB). The opening ceremony was officiated by Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing today.

The solar farm strengthens MINDEF/SAF’s operational resilience while advancing its sustainability goals. Its completion marks the achievement of 50-megawatt peak (MWp) of solar deployment across MINDEF/SAF facilities to date, contributing to Singapore’s targets under the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

The SBAB solar farm currently includes 13.5MWp of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems deployed within the air base. By the end of 2026, an additional 4.5MWp of rooftop solar PV systems will be installed on buildings within SBAB. Once completed, the solar farm will have a total capacity of 18MWp, generating enough energy to power about 4,700 four-room HDB flats annually. This is expected to deliver potential cost savings of around $1.9 million per year.

During his visit, Mr Chan toured the solar farm and was briefed on other MINDEF/SAF sustainability initiatives. These included the Smart Utilities Metering System, the automated Chinook wash shed, and the use of Eco-Asphalt for runway repair training. Mr Chan highlighted that energy resilience is Singapore’s next major national challenge, requiring both sustainable energy generation and careful demand management. He also noted the need for the SAF to adapt its operations and training in response to climate change.

Beyond Sembawang Air Base, MINDEF/SAF plans to install about 13.5MWp of solar PV systems across other SAF camps and bases by end-2027. This will raise total solar deployment across all MINDEF/SAF facilities to approximately 68MWp.

Senior officials from MINDEF/SAF, the Defence Science and Technology Agency, members of the External Advisory Panel for Environmental Sustainability, and project committee members were also present at the opening ceremony.

Source: MINDEF

Singapore, 31 May–1 June 2025 – US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth participated in the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue and associated meetings, underscoring America’s enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. At the dialogue’s opening on 31 May, he delivered a keynote address in which he reiterated the United States’ intent to deter aggression through strength, highlighted ongoing modernisation efforts, and stressed the need for alliance burden-sharing. During his speech, held at the Shangri-La Hotel and hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Secretary Hegseth outlined the Department of Defense’s priorities: restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding military capabilities, and reestablishing credible deterrence across the region.

On 30 May 2025, Secretary Hegseth held a bilateral discussion with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. in which both officials reaffirmed the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and reviewed steps to bolster alliance readiness. They celebrated the recently concluded Exercise BALIKATAN, the largest joint exercise to date and noted the deployment of advanced systems such as the Typhon missile and unmanned surface vessels. The following day, he met with ������’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to review US assistance provided after the 28 March earthquake and to renew their long-standing bilateral security cooperation.

On 31 May, Secretary Hegseth joined counterparts from Australia and Japan, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen in a joint statement emphasising concern over China’s actions in the East and South China Seas. The four-way meeting also included Philippine Secretary Teodoro. Collectively, they announced synchronized defence investments, expanded information-sharing arrangements, enhanced cybersecurity cooperation, and plans for greater operational interoperability, including trilateral and multilateral exercises and air surveillance initiatives.

On 1 June, Secretary Hegseth concluded his Singapore engagements with a bilateral meeting with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles. They discussed aligning defence investments to the Indo-Pacific security environment, accelerating US force posture initiatives in Australia, and bolstering supply chain resilience. Secretary Hegseth also welcomed the new Precision Strike Missile Memorandum of Understanding America’s first long-range fire cooperation on foreign soil and urged Australia to raise defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP.

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