Jakarta, Aug. 1 -- Indonesia and Australia strengthened disaster response cooperation through the Pacific Partnership 2026 joint exercise in Sibolga, North Sumatra, from July 20 to Aug. 1, bringing together military and civilian agencies from several partner countries.

The exercise involved 113 specialists from Australia, Canada, Germany, and the United States working alongside Indonesian authorities to deliver humanitarian services while improving regional disaster preparedness and interoperability, the Australian Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement on Friday.

Australia deployed the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Choules in support of the exercise, continuing its participation in Pacific Partnership since 2008 through the deployment o...