India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garuda Shakti Begins
The 11th edition of the India-Indonesia joint special forces exercise 'Garuda Shakti' has officially commenced in Banyuwangi, Indonesia. The bilateral exercise involves specialized troops from the Indian Army's Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) focusing on tactical cooperation and special operations interoperability.
What happened
The 11th edition of the bilateral joint special forces exercise 'Garuda Shakti' between India and Indonesia has officially kicked off at Banyuwangi, Indonesia.
The Indian Army has fielded specialized troops from the prestigious Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) for this military engagement, which runs from October 27, 2026, to November 6, 2026.
The primary objective of the exercise is to enhance mutual understanding, operational coordination, defence cooperation, and tactical interoperability between the special forces of both nations in special operations.
The training drills focus heavily on tactics, techniques, and procedures for operations in dense tropical jungle environments, including obstacle crossing, combat marksmanship, military mountaineering, air assault or heliborne training, combat-hardening sessions, and Close Quarter Battle.
Participating troops are also sharing expertise regarding weapons, sniper systems, night-vision devices, communication equipment, and operational practices.
The exercise will conclude with a simulated operational validation phase designed to evaluate combat readiness, endurance, coordination, hostage rescue, and counter-terrorism response.
Important dates
| Exercise Commencement | 27 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Exercise Conclusion | 6 November 2026 |
| Previous 10th Edition | 3 December to 12 December 2025 |
📌 Static GK links
- Partner Countries for Exercise Garuda Shakti: India and Indonesia
- Participating Indian Unit: Parachute Regiment (Special Forces)
- Location of 11th Edition: Banyuwangi, Indonesia
- Location of 10th Edition: Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Other Bilateral Exercises with Indonesia: Exercise Samudra Shakti (Naval) and IND-INDO CORPAT (Coordinated Naval Patrol)
What candidates should do
- Note down the exact edition, participating nations, and specific unit names for current affairs revision in defence sections.
- Distinguish between Army exercises like Garuda Shakti and naval exercises like Samudra Shakti involving the same partner country to avoid confusion in matching questions.
- Keep track of recent bilateral military exercises and their respective locations for upcoming SSC, banking, and UPSC preliminary examinations.
PrepZen analysis
Exercise Garuda Shakti represents a crucial pillar of bilateral defence cooperation between India and Indonesia, highlighting the strategic convergence of both nations in the Indo-Pacific region. For aspirants preparing for UPSC Prelims and State PSC exams, questions from defence exercises typically test the edition number, partner country, participating service units, and venue. Banking and SSC aspirants should memorise the quick-fact pairs to score direct marks in the General Awareness and Static GK sections.
Practice questions
Q1. The 11th edition of the joint special forces exercise 'Garuda Shakti' is being conducted between India and which partner country?
Q2. Which specific unit of the Indian Army has been fielded for the 11th edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti?
Q3. Where is the 11th edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti taking place?
Indian Army fielded specialized troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).
Drill focuses on enhancing tactical cooperation and interoperability in special operations.
🎯 Key Point: 11th India-Indonesia 'Garuda Shakti' exercise commenced at Banyuwangi.
FAQs
What is Exercise Garuda Shakti?
Exercise Garuda Shakti is a bilateral joint special forces military exercise conducted alternately between India and Indonesia to enhance tactical cooperation, interoperability, and defence cooperation.
Which edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti is being held in 2026?
The 11th edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti is being held from October 27 to November 6, 2026.
Where is the 11th edition of Exercise Garuda Shakti located?
It is taking place at Banyuwangi, Indonesia.
Which Indian military unit is participating in the 2026 exercise?
Specialized troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) of the Indian Army are participating in the exercise.
What are the other bilateral exercises conducted between India and Indonesia?
Other bilateral exercises between India and Indonesia include Exercise Samudra Shakti (a naval exercise) and IND-INDO CORPAT (a coordinated naval patrol).
Sources and references
- drishtiias.com (www.drishtiias.com)
- insightsonindia.com (www.insightsonindia.com)
- bharatshakti.in (bharatshakti.in)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
Practice Quiz — 28 October 2026
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Q2. Whom did Anup Bagchi succeed to take charge as the MD & CEO of HDFC Bank?
Q3. Until which date has the tenure of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh been extended?
Q4. In Bihar's newly launched 100-point Performance Assessment Index for banks, which bank secured the top spot, and what score places a bank in the 'Red Zone'?
Q5. Which country contributed the name 'Arnab' for the cyclone that made landfall in Andhra Pradesh?
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