JAKARTA: Indonesia and US launched their biggest-ever joint military exercises and were joined for first time by troops from partner nations in what commanders said is a move to strengthen unity in Indo-Pacific region.

“Super Garuda Shield” exercises, which were first held in 2007 with only Indonesian and US troops involved have expanded to include 12 other countries this year.

Defense forces from Australia, Japan and Singapore are taking part in drills, while India, France and UK are sending observers.

More than 5,000 soldiers are involved in two-week exercises in East Kalimantan, South Sumatra and Riau Islands that are aimed at increasing joint military effectiveness, Indonesian military said in a statement. “We hope exercises will go smoothly and everyone can deepen their bonds and interactions, so that this friendship will go on even after our exercises conclude and might be helpful in future,” Indonesia’s military chief Gen. Andika Perkasa said at opening ceremony in Baturaja, South Sumatra.

Indonesia-US military exercises coincided with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan as highest-ranking American official in 25 years to visit self-ruled island. Beijing described visit as “a gross interference in China’s internal affairs” amid fresh tensions in region.

Joint military drills signal Indonesia’s position on balancing engagement with major powers, Muhammad WaffaaKharisma a researcher from Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies told Arab News.

Ahmad RizkyMardhatillah Umar, an Indonesian international relations researcher at University of Queensland, Australia, said that expansion of Garuda Shield this year reflects a common interest among participants to address any potential crisis and security challenges.