Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is advancing efforts to establish itself as a regional military training hub through Exercise Keris Strike Serial 31/2026, which will validate the proof of concept for a Regional Combat Training Centre in the country.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the exercise, held in Sabah from July 13 to 27, brings together the Malaysian Army, the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with support from the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable (JPMRC-X). A total of 2,845 military personnel are participating, including 362 officers and 2,483 other ranks from the three forces involved.
Malaysia Eastern Field Commander Lieutenant General Datuk Mohd Sofi Md Lepi emphasized that one of the exercise's key objectives is to conduct the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Centre during Exercise Keris Strike Serial 31/2026, thereby validating the Regional Combat Training Centre in Malaysia. He highlighted that the exercise strengthens operational cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding among the participating forces.
"What began as a bilateral military exercise has evolved into a premier platform for strengthening operational cooperation, enhancing interoperability, and promoting regional stability through meaningful military engagement," Mohd Sofi stated at the opening ceremony.
He added that the exercise aims to promote enduring multilateral military engagements, strengthen partnerships, and foster goodwill to improve and sustain joint operations and procedures. Participating forces will engage in a brigade-level Staff Exercise (STAFFEX), Field Training Exercise (FTX), integrated long-range precision fires, and aviation operations while enhancing interoperability, leadership development, and cultural understanding through combined arms training.
Australian Assistant Defence Advisor Lt Col Glenn Sheridan remarked that the exercise provides Australian soldiers with a rare opportunity to train in Malaysia's challenging operational environment, particularly its jungle terrain and tropical climate. "It's an opportunity to train in a different environment. Malaysia has some significant challenges which we don't have in Australia due to the complex terrain with the jungle and the heat," Sheridan said.
Sheridan also noted that the exercise allows Australian troops to strengthen interoperability with their Malaysian and United States counterparts through combined training and joint operations.
Brig Gen Karen Watson, Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard, highlighted that the exercise marked Guam's first participation in Keris Strike, offering valuable training alongside partner nations on a scale rarely available to its troops. "The opportunity to work with our partner nations, partner countries, it's huge for us," Watson said, expressing gratitude to the Malaysian Army for its hospitality and professionalism throughout the exercise.