Exercise Keris Woomera was first held in 2024. This exercise successfully demonstrated Australia and Indonesia’s ability to practice high-end amphibious warfighting skills together.

Indonesia is an essential and enduring partner for Australia. Through Exercise Keris Woomera, both countries can cooperate on shared security objectives, build interoperability, grow professional relationships, and demonstrate our respective strengths in contributing to the collective security of Australia-Indonesia region. 

Exercise Keris Woomera 26

Exercise Keris Woomera 26 will be conducted from 12 to 20 October 2026. This will be the largest overseas training activity for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for the year.

The exercise will take place predominantly in East Java, Indonesia, and involve amphibious landing activities, a live fire exercise, a maritime task group, and various other integration activities. 

The exercise enables the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) to conduct high-end joint training with the ADF, contributing to their own capacity to deter military coercion and defend Indonesian sovereignty.

The exercise will involve ADF capabilities that ensure ADF can deter a potential adversary’s attempts to project power against Australia, and be prepared to protect Australia and its maritime approaches.

Activities

The Australian Amphibious Force will embark on HMAS Choules, embarking force elements and conducting Forces Integration Training. They will then sail from Australia and rendezvous with other Australian and Indonesian ships prior to the exercise.

The exercise will begin with an opening ceremony in Banyuwangi, East Java. The exercise will then witness the integration of ADF and TNI force elements in East Java, Bali Sea, and the North Indian Ocean.

In total, approximately 2,235 personnel are participating in the exercise.

Australia

The ADF will deploy approximately 1,000 personnel to the exercise with the following components. 

Navy

  • HMA Ships Choules, Perth and Stalwart
  • MH-60R Seahawk helicopters
  • Task Group Headquarters
  • Landing Craft
  • Maritime Tactical Operations Team

Army

  • Commander Landing Force Headquarters element
  • Exercise Control Party
  • Joint Pre-Landing Force
  • Artillery Troop with 2 M777 155mm howitzers
  • Engineering element
  • Logistics element
  • High Mobility Artillery Rocket System troop with 2 M142 Transporter Erector Launchers
  • Range Control Party
  • Role Two Forward Treatment Team
  • 2 Protected Mobility Vehicle – Ambulance

Air Force

  • A C-130J Hercules
  • PC-21 (No. 4 Squadron) forward air control aircraft
  • Air Task Group Headquarters

Joint capabilities

  • Defensive Cyber Operations Team
  • Public Affairs elements

Indonesia

The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) will participate with approximately 1,235 personnel, and support towards the following capabilities.

Navy

  • Diponegoro Class corvette
  • AS565 Panther helicopter
  • Marine infantry company
  • Artillery section with 105mm howitzers
  • Multiple Launch Rocket System

Army

  • Infantry section
  • Artillery section with 105mm howitzers
  • Engineering troop
  • Army infantry company
  • Bell-412 helicopter

Air Force

  • EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft
  • Joint Terminal Attack Controllers

Joint or other

  • Exercise Control element
  • Medical Team
  • Cyber Operations Team
  • Public Affairs elements

Contacts

military.publicaffairs@defence.gov.au