The Indonesian and Australian militaries are holding joint combat drills off Indonesia’s main island of Java with about 2,000 troops training in air, maritime, amphibious and land operations.

The Indonesian and Australian militaries launched joint combat drills near Banongan beach in Situbondo, East Java.

The Philippines for the first time will participate in the joint military exercise between Australia and the United States or the Talisman Sabre Exercise next year, officials from the two countries said on Wednesday.

Indonesia has held military exercises with other countries, including Russia, and recently engaged in a confrontation with China.

More than 2,000 Indonesian and Australian troops held joint military drills on Wednesday after the allies signed a new defense agreement pledging closer cooperation to counter security threats in the Asia-Pacific region.

SITUBONDO: More than 2,000 Indonesian and Australian troops held joint military drills on Wednesday (Nov 13), after the allies signed a new defence agreement pledging closer cooperation to counter security threats in the Asia-Pacific region.