World · East Asia & Pacific · 8 hrs ago
Indonesian and Australian Forces Practise Underwater Reconnaissance in Situbondo
Indonesian Navy divers and Australian forces practised underwater reconnaissance off Banongan beach in Situbondo, Indonesia.
The activity was part of Keris Woomera 2026, a joint military exercise involving Indonesia’s armed forces and the Australian Defence Force.
In the scenario, enemy forces controlled the landing beach and guarded it with underwater obstacles and surveillance.
The divers mapped approach routes and recorded obstacles to check whether a landing route was safe without being detected.
This work helps prepare forces for amphibious operations, which involve troops moving from sea to shore.
The exercise is intended to improve coordination and trust between the two countries and support regional stability.
Indonesian Navy frogmen and Australian Defence Force personnel carried out underwater reconnaissance in Situbondo during the Keris Woomera 2026 joint exercise.
The exercise took place in waters off Banongan on 18 October 2026.
The combined dive team mapped approach corridors, recorded obstacles and checked that a landing route was suitable without being detected by simulated enemy forces.
The scenario treated the landing beach as enemy-controlled and protected by underwater defences, obstacle nets and close monitoring.
The exercise aimed to strengthen coordination and trust between Indonesian and Australian forces and prepare them for amphibious operations.
- Who
- Indonesian Navy Kopaska frogmen and Maritime Tactical Operations personnel from the Australian Defence Force.
- What
- They practised underwater reconnaissance to prepare a landing beach for an amphibious operation.
- When
- 18 October 2026.
- Where
- Waters off Banongan, Situbondo, Indonesia.
- Why
- To check whether a landing route was safe before an amphibious operation and improve coordination between the forces.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Indonesian Marines and Australian Defence Force members took part in the Keris Woomera joint exercise at Banongan Beach.
Indonesian Navy frogmen and Australian personnel conducted underwater reconnaissance in waters off Banongan.
- Exercise
- Keris Woomera 2026
- Location
- Banongan, Situbondo
- Underwater team
- Indonesian Navy Kopaska and Australian Defence Force Maritime Tactical Operations personnel
- Reconnaissance tasks
- Mapped approach corridors and recorded obstacle locations
- Exercise scenario
- Landing beach protected by underwater defences, obstacle nets and close monitoring
3 sources
What people are saying
Keris Woomera 2026 is not merely an ordinary military exercise, but proof that the professionalism and interoperability of the forces of both countries can meet the challenges of even the most complex amphibious operations.