The Indonesian and Australian militaries are holding joint combat drills off Indonesia’s main island of Java with about 2,000 troops training in air, maritime, amphibious and land operations.

More than 2,000 Indonesian and Australian troops held joint military drills on Wednesday after the allies signed a new defense agreement pledging closer cooperation to counter security threats in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Indonesian and Australian militaries launched joint combat drills near Banongan beach in Situbondo, East Java.

Indonesia has held military exercises with other countries, including Russia, and recently engaged in a confrontation with China.