28/09/2026
The Haringaroo Exercise 2026 between Tentera Darat Malaysia and the Australian Army was successfully conducted after the joint exercise was raised at Felda Soeharto, Selangor.
Taking place from September 17-25, the Haringaroo was organized by Markas 4 Divisyen and involved Briged Ke-11 Infantri Malaysia and R***e Company Butterworth (RCB). Among the units represented were the 4th Regiment of Malaysian Army (4 RAMD), (Batalion Kelapan Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja, and the 25th Regiment of the Malaysian Defence Forces (RAMD) while RCB was represented by 8/9 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (RAR).
The Haringaroo was inaugurated on Sept 17 at Kem Sungai Buloh by the 11th Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Datoβ Khairul Azmizal bin Ahmad Natal, and the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program Officer (MAJDP), Lieutenant Colonel Phil Kennedy. The exercise was a continuation of the long-standing defense and military training relationship between Malaysia and Australia. The exercise emphasized improving interoperability, knowledge sharing, and tactical skills between the two armies through a series of exercises planned jointly.
The exercises focused on enhancing the level of readiness in planning and implementation of joint operations, as well as strengthening the knowledge and experience of both officers and members of the two countries through knowledge sharing in the areas of doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP). The Cross Training Exercise (CTX) was conducted at the camp while the Field Training Exercise (FTX) took place in the Bestari Jaya area, Selangor.
Among the CTX activities included Operations in Built-Up Area (Operations in Built-Up Area β OBUA), Survival, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), Field Medical Support, Military Communication Systems, and Prisoners of War (POW) procedures. The Commander Markas Pemerintahan Medan Barat Tentera Darat Lieutenant Colonel Datoβ Khairul Azmizal bin Ahmad Natal also visited and inspected the implementation of the exchange sessions.
In the FTX, TDM and RCB personnel had the opportunity to conduct various training scenarios that included conventional and non-conventional aspects, as well as sharing TTP in an effort to enhance operational capability. This Haringaroo also highlighted the OBUA element.
The closing ceremony on Sept 25 was preceded by a final attack by elements of TDM and RCB who took positions from midnight before the attack began at 7 am. The attack took place on the enemy's stronghold on the hill. With the presence of the Commander of the 4th Division, Brigadier General Hj Mohd Shauari bin Hj Mat Piah, Director General of Career Management Australia Brig Jen Jason Groat, Commander of the 11th Brigade, Brigadier General Datoβ Pahlawan Safwan @ Asri bin Ismail, Commander of the 12th Brigade, Brigadier General Mahamad Fazli bin Mat Idris and Australia Defence Advisory Council (ADAC) Advisor Belinda Edmunds.
According to Brigadier General Shauari, this exchange provided a return on value in terms of strengthening understanding and relationships, as well as the transfer of knowledge and skills. βFrom what we can see here, the transfer of knowledge or theory to practice can be implemented, and the benefits that we can gain from this collaboration are the first step towards strengthening both countriesβ understanding and capabilities,β he said.
Secondly, it is the knowledge or skills that the Australian Army possesses, especially in OBOA, that can be transferred to Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, especially TDM. The Commander added that this was also a manifestation of strengthening the Malaysia-Australia defense relationship. Last week, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin agreed to enhance defense relations through strategic collaboration. MENHAN said that this collaboration was agreed upon during the 6th Malaysia-Australia High-Level Council Meeting (HLC) chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Australia's Defence Minister, Richard Marles, in Geelong, Australia.
"This is the direction of Malaysia-Australia defense relations, moving from collaboration to further building stronger unity in facing future security challenges," MENHAN said on social media.
Source : Majalah Perajurit - Penjana Pemikiran Pertahanan
