China and Indonesia will hold the “Sharp Knife-2026” joint counterterrorism exercise in Guangdong province from late October to early November.

Axar.az reports, citing China Daily, that the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced the exercise on Monday.

The drills will focus on joint counterterrorism and rescue operations in mountainous terrain, including climbing, specialized driving, helicopter fast-roping, close-quarters assault and coordination between manned and unmanned systems.

The exercise marks the third joint training session in the series and aims to deepen military cooperation and enhance the two countries’ joint operational capabilities.

The first “Sharp Knife” exercise involving Chinese and Indonesian special forces was held in Bandung, Indonesia, in 2011, while the second took place in China’s Shandong Province in 2012.