Exercise Komodo Explained

KOMODO or Multilateral Naval Exercise KOMODO (MNEK) is a military exercise hosted and conducted by the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL).^[1] It is biannually held between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The first KOMODO was held in 2014, around Batam.^[2]

Its aims are to enhance facilitating multilateral engagement with greater international partners. Four exercises have taken place: 2014, 2016, 2018, and the latest was held in 2023.^[2]

History

MNEK 2014 (1st)

The first MNEK exercise consists of a total of 18 countries and took place around Batam, Natuna and Anambas area.^[3] Australia withdrew from the exercise due to political reasons.^[4]

MNEK 2014 participating vessels

• • • • • Khánh Hòa-01 (HQ-561)^[5]
• Changbai Shan (989)
  • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • KAL Bireuen (II-1-63)
• KAL Kumai (I-6-58)
• KAL Antasena (1)

MNEK 2016 (2nd)

The second MNEK lasted from 9 to 16 April 2016. Alongside the exercise, an International Fleet Review was also hosted at Padang, Indonesia. This particular exercise consists of 36 countries.^{[6] [7]}

MNEK 2016 participating vessels

• USS Stockdale (DDG-106)^[8]
  • • • Khánh Hòa-01 (HQ-561)
• ^[9]
• HTMS Narathiwat (OPV-512)
  • • • • • • • • • KD Mahawangsa (1504)
• KD Kelantan (F175)^[10]
• BNS Somudra Avijan (F29)^[11]
• SNLS Samadura (P261)^[12]
• Vendémiaire (734)
• Admiral Vinogradov (572)
• Weifang (550)
• Changxingdao (861)

MNEK 2018 (3rd)

The third MNEK exercise began on 4 May and lasted until 9 May 2018 around Lombok Island. Indonesia claimed that it was the largest iteration of MNEK, with 43 countries participating: with China and India participating.^[13] Alongside the exercise, an International Fleet Review was also hosted.

MNEK 2018 participating vessels

• Liuzhou (573)
• Changsha (173)
• ^[14]
• Perekop (310)
• ^[15]
• Dixmude (L9015)
• Surcouf (F711)
  • HTMS Krabi (OPV-551)
• Khánh Hòa-01 (HQ-561)^[16]
• KD Baung (3509)
  • KRI Cakalang (852)
• KRI Sidat (851)
• KRI Tongkol (813)
• KRI Kakap (811)
• KRI Pandrong (801)
  • • KRI Barakuda (633)
    • KRI Ki Hajar Dewantara (364)
      • • • • • SLNS Sagara (P-622)^[17]

MNEK 2023 (4th)

The fourth and latest MNEK exercise consisted of a total of 36 countries, and took place in Makassar with theme of 'Partnership to recover and to rise stronger'.

MNEK 2023 participating Countries:

• Australia
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• Canada
• China
• Chile
• Fiji
  • India Japan
• Kenya
• South Korea
• Myanmar
• New Zealand
• Netherlands
• Oman
• Philippines
• Pakistan
• France
• Papua New Guinea
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Spain
• Russia
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Timor Leste
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam

Notes and References

1. Web site: US Navy joins 30-plus nations for multinational Exercise Komodo. PACOM.mil. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. 2021-06-23.
2. Wenas Inkiriwang. Frega. 2021-05-05. Multilateral naval Exercise Komodo: enhancing Indonesia's multilateral defence diplomacy?. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs. 40. 3. 418–435. 10.1177/18681034211008905. 1868-1034. free.
3. Web site: 40 Indonesian military vessels to join Komodo naval exercise. Antara News. 6 January 2014. 2021-06-24.
4. Web site: Naim. Jannatun. 16 January 2014. Australia's participation in MNE Komodo cancelled. Antara News. 2021-06-24.
5. Web site: 2014-04-02. Naval Exercise Komodo 2014 improves ASEAN naval cooperation. The Voice of Vietnam. 2021-06-24.
6. Web site: Komodo Exercise 35 Negara Hebohkan Sumatera Barat. 2021-06-24. BorneoNews.co.id. en.
7. Web site: spedaonthel. 2016-04-12. [Unjuk Kekuatan] Indonesia Pimpin Latihan Perang "Komodo 2016" Yang Terdiri Dari 36 Negara!]. 2021-06-24. Mysterious Thing • Conspiracy • Controversy • UFO & Alien • Archeology • Science • Universe •. id.
8. Web site: Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2016 begins in Indonesia. 2021-06-23. www.naval-technology.com.
9. Web site: Exercise KOMODO-16 and International Fleet Review at Padang, Indonesia. IndianNavy.nic.in. Indian Navy. 2021-06-23.
10. Web site: Padang Indonesia April 16 2016 Kd stock photo 1057854518. 2021-06-23. Shutterstock.com.
11. Web site: 2016-04-11. GALLERY: Warships gather for Indonesian naval exercise Komodo 2016. 2021-06-23. Naval Today. en-US.
12. Web site: SLNS Samudura leaves for Indonesia to take part in Exercise Komodo-2016. 2021-06-23. Hiru News. en.
13. Web site: Parameswaran. Prashanth. Exercise Komodo 2018 puts Indonesia Navy in the spotlight. TheDiplomat.com. 2021-06-23.
14. Web site: U.S. Navy joins 30-plus nations for Multinational Exercise Komodo. 2021-06-23. Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet.
15. Web site: 2018-05-01. JS Osumi: 'Pesaing' Mistral Class dalam Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2018. 2021-06-23. Indomiliter.com.
16. Web site: VietnamPlus. 2018-05-03. Indonesia to host Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo World Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus). 2021-06-23. VietnamPlus. en.
17. Web site: SLNS Sagara leaves for Indonesia to attend Exercise Komodo. 2021-06-23. News.lk. en-gb.