Indonesia conducts joint military exercises in 2014.

On June 1st, the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) began conducting their 2014 joint military exercises in Asembagus, East Java province, and Bali in the Indian Ocean.

This is a large-scale field exercise involving three branches of the armed forces, scheduled to last until June 5th.

According to the VNA correspondent in Jakarta, attending the opening ceremony were Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Defense Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian Navy Moeldoko, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Admiral Marsetio, Commander-in-Chief of the Army Budiman, and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force Ida Bagus Putu Dunia.

Indonesian soldiers during a military exercise. (Source: militaryphotos.net)

Minister Yusgiantoro stated that the exercise was organized to test and enhance the overall strength and effectiveness of coordinated operations, command, and joint mission execution of the three branches of the armed forces, especially in emergency situations.

The Indonesian military deployed a wide range of heavy weaponry in this year's exercise, including 32 warships of various types, including landing craft, with marine-specific equipment such as amphibious vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and RM 70 Grad missiles; 26 tanks of various types, 18 armored personnel carriers, 24 helicopters, 24 artillery pieces of various types, 6 air defense missile systems; 40 fighter aircraft of various types, and 32 transport aircraft.

The direct commander of the exercise, General Moeldoko, emphasized the particularly important significance of the 2014 joint exercise, in the context of Indonesia's urgent efforts to accelerate its plan to modernize its military and build national defense capabilities by 2025 to ensure sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The escalating tensions and disputes in the South China Sea, along with border security, will be major challenges for Indonesia in the near future.

According to VNA