The Indonesian and Australian air forces will conduct a week-long joint exercise code-named Elang Aus-Indo in Darwin starting on Monday (August 31), a spokesman said.

The joint exercise would involve the two air forces` jet fighters, spokesman for the El Tari air base in Kupang 1st Lt. Dedy said on Sunday.

The Indonesian air force would send at least 87 of its personnel and four F16 jet fighters and two Hercules planes to the activity, he said.

On Sunday, some of the planes landed at the El Tari air base as a home base during the joint exercise, he said.

“Admittedly, the joint exercise will take place in Darwin. But the El Tari air base will serve as a home base for the Indonesian Air Force personnel and fleet,” he said.

Dedy said assistant for operations to the Air Force Chief of Staff Rear Marshal Pandji Utama would be the field commander of the Indonesian side in the joint exercise.

The joint exercise was part of the two air forces` routine agenda aimed at enhancing cooperation and preserving harmonious relations between the two neighboring states, he said.

In addition, it was also aimed at improving Indonesian airmen`s knowledge of their tasks to keep the Indonesian territory intact, and detect any threat to the country`s sovereignty, he said.

“As airmen, they must improve their capacity and skill to anticipate any threat to the country,” he said.

Source: Antara