TNI AL Conducts Passing Exercise with Japan and US, Not Just China

The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has confirmed it conducted passing exercises (passex) not only with China but also with Japan and the United States, following a joint drill with the Chinese navy that sparked protests from Taiwan.

Head of the Navy Information Service (Kadispenal), First Admiral Tunggul, stated that the TNI AL deployed the warship KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 for the limited joint exercises. “We conducted limited joint exercises or passing exercises with the navies of several countries we passed through, including Japan, China, and the United States Seventh Fleet,” Tunggul said in Jakarta on Thursday (13/8/2026).

He stressed that such passing exercises are a common practice for navies worldwide and are not intended for combat purposes, but rather to foster camaraderie between nations. “It is not intended as a combat exercise,” he stated.

Tunggul explained that the passex serves as a form of interaction to build communication, trust, good relations, and a spirit of friendship between the TNI AL and the Chinese Navy. “It also supports Indonesia’s maritime diplomacy,” he added.

Furthermore, Tunggul noted that the activity aligns with the Indonesian government’s free and active foreign policy, which opens space for cooperation with all countries. “This activity also reflects Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening friendships and contributing to the maintenance of maritime security, stability, and world peace,” he concluded.