Super Garuda Shield 2026 Showcases Multinational Airborne Precision in Baturaja

RRI.CO.ID, Baturaja - The multinational joint exercise Super Garuda Shield (SGS) 2026 joint exercise in Baturaja, South Sumatra, showcased the scale and precision of multinational airborne operations.

On Friday, September 4, hundreds of paratroopers from Indonesia, the United States, Japan, India, and France executed coordinated jumps in Martapura Subdistrict, East Ogan Komering Ulu Regency.

Commander of the Indonesian Military's Doctrine, Education, and Training Command (Kodiklat TNI), Lt. Gen. Mohamad Naudi Nurdika, said the dramatic airborne maneuvers were designed to ensure every stage of the air operation was conducted safely, with precision, and in line with established procedures.

The multinational drill deployed six aircraft, including two C‑130 Hercules from the Indonesian Air Force and three C‑130 Hercules plus one KC‑130 tanker/cargo plane from the US Air Force. Troops were dropped in sequence from 1,200 feet over the Baturaja landing zone.

The breakdown included 110 Indonesian soldiers, 147 US troops, 40 Indian personnel, 17 Japanese paratroopers, and six French soldiers. The exercise was tailored to sharpen tactical infiltration skills from the air while aligning operational procedures across nations and testing rapid joint readiness for potential crises.

"This year’s theme emphasizes the wide and integrated scope of operations across Jakarta, Bandung, Lampung, Baturaja, and North Kalimantan, aimed at maintaining peace and regional stability," Naudi explained, as quoted by Antara.

SGS 2026 has grown into one of the largest multinational drills in the Indo‑Pacific, with 21 participating countries including Indonesia, the US, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, India, the UK, Italy, Japan, Germany, Cambodia, Canada, South Korea, Laos, New Zealand, France, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

"This exercise is also a tangible form of Indonesia’s defense diplomacy to safeguard stability, security, and peace across the Indo‑Pacific," Naudi concluded. ***