All ASEAN member countries and 8 other countries, including China, the United States, Russia and Japan, are to hold a joint counter-terrorism exercise in West Java of Indonesia in September, Indonesian minister said here on Wednesday.
Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro made the statement after accompanying Indonesian Vice President Boediono meeting with Secretary of State for Defense of U.K. Rt Hon Philip Hammond here.
Minister Yusgiantoro said that 18 special forces from the 18 countries would take part in the exercise with theme of "beyond police capacity" in Sentul near Jakarta.
The minister said that India, New Zealand and Australia would also take part in the exercise.
During the meeting with Vice President Boediono, Philip said that U.K. was interested in the exercise and as an observer.
