Super Garuda Shield 2024 in Geopolitical Perspective

Joint exercise (latgabma) Super Garuda Shield (SGS) 2024 which was held by Indonesia/DOK VOI

JAKARTA - The 2024 Super Garuda Shield (SGS) joint exercise (latgabma) held by Indonesia, demonstrated strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, and honed interoperability between the Indonesian military, the US, and other participating countries.

The latgabma held in Java and Sumatra on August 26 to September 6, 2024, honed the capabilities of combat organizations to carry out airborne operations, air assault, and amphibious operations.

Although Indonesia emphasized that SGS has no political content, it is very clear that this latgabma is an instrument for the US to prioritize its interests in the region in order to compete with China.

The 2024 Super Garuda Shield (SGS) joint exercise (latgabma) held by Indonesia/VOI

SGS cannot be separated from the context of the Great Power Competition to stem China's influence and aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. As we know, the US has organized many latgabmas with many parties who are its strategic partners, such as the Philippines through Balikatan, for example.

All of these exercises have at least two objectives; the first is to hone the US military's interoperability with its strategic partners, and maintain the combat readiness status of their combat organizations and units. The second is to signal to China that bilateral relations between the US and Indonesia are getting closer through defense cooperation. Indonesia is known to have chosen the F-15EX fighter jet made by the US company Boeing to modernize its air force combat assets.

Joint exercise (latgabma) Super Garuda Shield (SGS) 2024 held by Indonesia/VOI

However, Indonesia It seems that it does not want its closeness to the US, in the context of defense and security, to be too obvious. Indonesia is known for its free-active foreign policy. Jakarta is very adept at playing its role in rowing between the two giants competing in the Indo-Pacific region. This is done for no other reason than to maintain its strategic partner status with China.

In the future, Indonesia will continue to strive to maintain its status of not siding with the US or China, in order to protect its national interests.