US Navy Strengthens Indo-Pacific Region Partnership

Members of the United States Navy (US) and ASEAN countries gathered in Batam, Riau Islands, in the 2nd Maritime Exercise (AUMX) of 2025, Wednesday (10/12/2025). BETWEEN ANTARA/Angiela Chantiequ

The United States Navy joined the ASEAN navy in the 2nd Maritime Exercise (AUMX 2025) in Batam, Riau Islands, as a commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 10, the ASEAN-US AUMX 2025 was attended by elements of the maritime staff of the US 7 Destroy Squadron Commander (Desron) and defense officials from ASEAN member countries.

US Navy captain (equivalent) Matt Cox, vice-comodor Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, said AUMX 2025 was organized by Indonesia and the United States.

"AUMX 2025 affirms the continued dedication of the US Navy in strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.

He explained, in the implementation of AUMX this time its activities included an exchange of expertise regarding the United Nations Convention on Marine Law (UNCLOS) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).

In addition, joint organizers also facilitated a stadium post (tabletop exercise) where ASEAN member countries (AMS) would carry out a MEDEVAC simulation scenario to improve operational capabilities.

In this exercise, he said, USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), US Navy-type coastal warships will join eight other ASEAN assets in the Kepro Sea for two-day sea phase activities to complete training.

The allied ships and partners, he continued, will operate in the Singapore Strait to carry out tactical maneuvers, damage control, search, and rescue, as well as MEDEVAC exercises.

"The implementation of the ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise 2025 is a real representation of our collaboration and partnership," Cox said.

"Since the first AUMX, we have worked with many ASEAN member countries in bilateral exercises to further refine our tactical and operational capabilities, and we look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our interoperability with Southeast Asian partners," he continued.

The inaugural AUMX was held in 2019, aimed at increasing joint commitment to maritime, security and stability partnerships in Southeast Asia.

Since then, DEDRON 7 has carried out a number of exercises with various ASEAN member countries, including the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) training series and various maritime cooperation activities.

As a squadron of US Navy destroyers deployed forward in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 acts as the main tactical and operational commander of coastal warships stationed in Singapore.

The squad served as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 Sea Combat Commander; and built partnerships through military-to-military exercises and interactions as the executor of the Commander, Task Group CARAT.

The US 7th Fleet, the largest forward-deployed fleet belonging to the US Navy, regularly interacts and operates with allies and partners to keep the Indo-Pacific region free and open.

This 2nd AUMX takes place from 9 to 13 December, officially opened by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General TNI Tri Budi Utomo.

This exercise aims to strengthen cooperation, trust and maritime interoperability in the region.