Canada’s top general Jennie Carignan joined U.S. Admiral Samuel Paparo and Indonesian Deputy Commander Tandyo Budi Revita for the opening of Super Garuda Shield 2025 in Jakarta on Monday. The annual military exercise, led by Indonesia and the United States, brings together troops from several countries for large-scale training. (AP Photo)
Canada signed a defence agreement with Indonesia on Monday, marking what officials described as a major step in strengthening security ties in the Indo-Pacific region. The deal was finalized during the visit of Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen. Jennie Carignan, to Jakarta, her first trip to the Southeast Asian nation.
The memorandum of understanding focuses on closer collaboration in maritime security, military training, crisis response and overall co-operation between the two countries’ armed forces.
Gen. Carignan said the agreement reflects Canada’s long-term commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific. “Formalizing our military co-operation with a key Indo-Pacific partner like Indonesia is vital to strengthening Canada’s ability to promote peace and stability in the region,” she said in a statement.
Largest-Ever Canadian Participation
Along with the new defence pact, Canada announced it is sending its largest-ever group of soldiers to Exercise Super Garuda Shield, a multinational training event hosted annually by Indonesia and the United States.
This year, around 30 Canadian Armed Forces members will join the two-week exercise. The group includes engineers, medical trainers, staff officers and public affairs specialists. They will work alongside international partners both in leadership roles and in field exercises.
Maj. Graeme Scott, a spokesperson for the Canadian Joint Operations Command, said the Canadian team will be fully integrated into the drills. “This contingent is approximately 30 members and will integrate into the exercise in both control and participatory capacities,” he explained.
Global Scale of the Drills
Exercise Super Garuda Shield has grown steadily since it began in 2007. Canada first joined in 2022, alongside allies such as the United Kingdom, France and Australia.
This year’s edition is the largest yet. More than 6,000 troops from multiple countries, including Germany, Japan, Brazil, Singapore and South Korea, are taking part. The Indonesian military described the event as “a beacon of our shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability.”
Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
Officials say the defence agreement supports Canada’s wider Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to strengthen ties with regional partners while expanding military presence in Asia.
National Defence emphasized the importance of the move, noting Canada’s growing role as a Pacific nation. “As a Pacific nation, the security and stability of the broader Indo-Pacific region is vital to Canada’s future and global stability,” the department stated. “Canada is, and will continue to be, an active, reliable and predictable partner in the region.”
The new partnership signals Canada’s intent to deepen defence co-operation with Indonesia, while also reinforcing its role in multinational efforts to keep the Indo-Pacific stable and secure.
