China and Indonesia concluded their Sharp Knife 2026
army counter-terrorism joint training with a ceremony in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, on November 2, marking the resumption of bilateral military drills after a 14-year hiatus.
Resuming Drills After a 14-Year Hiatus
The week-long exercise began on October 27, serving as a planned military exchange for 2026 aimed at improving combat-oriented training capabilities. Participating troops from both countries were organized into mixed formations to undergo specialized training, tactical coordination, and comprehensive exercises. Previous drills in the Sharp Knife series took place in Bandung, Indonesia, in June 2011, and in Jinan, China, in July 2012, according to Military Watch Magazine.
Mountain Counter-Terrorism and Unmanned Systems
The live-force phase of the 2026 training focused on joint mountain counter-terrorism rescue operations, featuring covert infiltration, land- and water-based rescues, coordinated clearance operations, and search tasks. Troops utilized specialized vehicles, mountain climbing techniques, helicopter fast-roping, and close-quarters combat alongside manned-unmanned teaming operations.
Specialist training encompassed reconnaissance, communications, unmanned systems, and sniping. Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the exercise involved a coordinated sequence of operations to rescue hostages held in mountainous and forested areas. Drones conducted initial reconnaissance, followed by ground troops moving via mountain climbing and special vehicles to seal off the target area before hostages were rescued through aerial infiltration via helicopters and indoor close-quarters combat.
Song noted to the Global Times that while it looks like a high-intensity special operation, it falls under non-traditional security cooperation,
adding that the training complements the joint tactical operational capabilities of the two nations in complex mountain environments while strengthening security cooperation with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states.
Expanding Security and Ministerial Coordination
The two nations have faced common terror threats, while their renewed cooperation focuses on joint exercises and countering transnational crimes such as telecommunications fraud and human trafficking. Beyond counter-terrorism, Chinese commentary highlighted potential applications in tackling transnational crime, including telecommunications fraud and human trafficking.
Song noted that Cross-border telecom fraud, human trafficking, and the cross-border movement of illicit assets are key areas where China and Indonesia need to cooperate,
adding that China needs to work with Southeast Asian nations to counter telecom fraud, and Indonesia needs China’s accumulated counter-terrorism experience.
The renewed drills coincide with closer diplomatic alignment and strengthening defense cooperation between Beijing and Jakarta. Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamseoddin confirmed a planned procurement of J-10C fighter aircraft on October 16, 2025, to form the new backbone of the combat aviation fleet, with Indonesian sources reporting in early October 2026 that armed forces were preparing to receive their first J-10C fighters within six months. China and Indonesia have also operated a “2+2” ministerial meeting format involving their foreign and defense ministers since 2025, holding two such meetings through 2026 as the first foreign ministerial dialogue mechanism of its kind that China has established with another country.
Participants Mark Closing Ceremony with Cultural Exchanges
The concluding event in Guangzhou featured thematic seminars, weapon and equipment displays, sports competitions, and cultural exchanges.
