JAKARTA: The 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have successfully completed their first-ever joint military exercises, organized by Indonesia, the outgoing ASEAN chair.
The five-day naval drills, known as the ASEAN Solidarity Exercise (ASEX 23), focused on humanitarian disaster responses and enhancing cooperation among ASEAN member states’ militaries. These exercises come amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where China’s actions have raised concerns among ASEAN members, including Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, who also claim parts of the contested sea.
Nature of Exercises: ASEX 23, proposed by Indonesia earlier this year, involved joint maritime patrols, simulated medical evacuations, search and rescue operations, and disaster relief efforts. These exercises aimed to foster confidence-building and strengthen military-to-military relations among ASEAN nations, promoting regional peace and stability.
Regional Vulnerability: Southeast Asia is prone to natural disasters such as severe weather, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Given the region’s vulnerability, cooperation among nations is essential to respond effectively to such crises.
Geopolitical Context: While these exercises emphasized non-combat scenarios, the broader geopolitical landscape is witnessing increased rivalry between the United States and China, leading to regional security concerns. Indonesia framed the exercises as a demonstration of ASEAN centrality amid fears of being forced to choose sides in great power competition.
ASEAN Members’ Participation: All 10 ASEAN members, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, participated in the exercises. East Timor (Timor Leste), expected to join ASEAN by 2025, was also involved.
Non-Uniform Participation: Notably, not all countries sent naval vessels, and Myanmar participated only as an observer due to sanctions resulting from the country’s political crisis.
Diverse Military Strategies: ASEAN members have diverse military strategies, equipment sources, and doctrines. For example, Singapore maintains advanced equipment and engages in training exercises with various countries. Indonesia, with an expansive coastline and non-aligned foreign policy, sources its weaponry from various nations. The Philippines works closely with the US and has relatively low military spending, while Thailand is politically active within its military.
China’s Role: China’s increased presence and assertiveness in the South China Sea have complicated matters for ASEAN. China’s territorial claims overlap with those of several ASEAN members, contributing to regional tensions.
Code of Conduct Delays: Efforts to establish a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea have made little progress, and disputes among ASEAN members have occasionally hindered unified responses.
Focus on Economic Development: Despite security challenges, ASEAN’s main successes have been in economic development and trade. ASEAN operates on principles of consensus, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Geopolitical Discussions: Despite escalating tensions in the South China Sea, ASEAN leaders primarily focused on economic issues rather than geopolitical matters during a recent summit.
ASEAN’s inaugural joint military exercises signify a significant step toward regional cooperation in disaster response and military relations. However, challenges related to the South China Sea dispute and regional security dynamics persist, making future exercises and diplomatic efforts crucial for the organization’s stability and relevance in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
