What is going on?
Indonesia led the first-ever joint military drills with the participation of 10 members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor-Leste (which recently applied to join the bloc). Code-named the ASEAN Solidarity Exercise (ASEX 2023) and lasting from September 19 through 23, the drills were non-combat in nature, and consisted of sea and land-based activities with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime security, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and anti-piracy components. ASEAN is a non-military alliance, and so the question of interoperability between the 10 member states is relatively novel. At the same time, it continues to grow in importance amid challenges such as environmental degradation and climate crisis, Beijing’s growing belligerence in the South China Sea, and a potential Taiwan contingency.
What is the broader picture?
Indonesian military chief Yudo Margono said that ASEX 2023 was “about ASEAN centrality.” The exercises took place around Batam island, which is located adjacent to Singapore on the eastern approach to the Strait of Malacca. The choice of location and involved parties clearly demonstrates that it is an effort by ASEAN to showcase its members’ agency to respond to regional crises of different origins. Importantly, the drills also reaffirmed ASEAN’s strategic relevance, particularly in light of increasing security-related mini-laterals, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal, which have raised questions about ASEAN’s role in shaping regional dynamics.
Why does it matter?
According to Dr. Rahman Yaacob, Research Fellow in the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, the significance of the recently concluded ASEX 2023 is three-fold. Firstly, the drills can be viewed as a signal to major powers that ASEAN has a stake in regional maritime security and the agency to secure them. This is particularly important in light of China’s growing belligerence and territorial claims in the South China Sea. While ASEAN remains divided over Beijing’s growing assertiveness in its regional waters, the exercise demonstrates that there is potential for change – including bringing non-claimant states such as Indonesia on board to collectively deal with the South China Sea issue. Secondly, the exercise made it possible for ASEAN military forces to build trust with each other without the involvement of external forces. Thirdly, ASEX 2023 contributed to capability building for ASEAN naval forces. This is particularly important given the frequency of natural disasters in South-East Asia, which might require mass evacuations. Additionally, it is imperative to consider that ASEAN cooperation would be necessary in case of a potential Taiwan contingency, recognizing that over 730,000 Southeast Asians currently live and work in the island nation.
