A counter-terrorism exercise kicked off in the southern outskirts of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, on September 9 in the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

The five-day exercise has drawn the participation of more than 500 military personnel from 10 ASEAN countries as well as their eight dialogue partners.

The exercise is based on a fictional scenario of multiple bomb attacks in an oil tanker and a crowded event by terrorists. It focuses on technical and tactical capabilities and the management of information and technology in counter-terrorism.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Indonesian military chief Moeldoko said that terrorism is an asymmetric threat and challenge to the world security.

This exercise is a good way to gain common understanding, share experience, and improve capabilities and cooperation among militaries in the region to combat terrorism, he added.

Established in 2010, the ADMM+, which groups 10 ASEAN states as well as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, the Republic of Korea and the United States, is the highest official multilateral defence mechanism in Asia Pacific.

Under the mechanism, the Defence Ministers agreed on dialogue and cooperation in maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, peacekeeping operations and military medicine.-VNA