From October 1-30, 2024, the United States, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand trained the Timor-Leste Defence Force in various practical skills in Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk. The main accomplishment was the construction of two barracks, one for female soldiers and one for male soldiers.
Hari’i Hamutuk means “Build Together” in the Tetum, an official language of Timor-Leste alongside Portuguese. In an interview with Tatoli, formerly known as Timor-Leste News Agency, Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek of Timor-Leste clarified that the exercise’s objective “is to reinforce military cooperation in the field of engineering between all involved countries.”
Building Together
For the 13th iteration of Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk, participants focused on receiving practical training in fields like small engine repair, combat engineering, and medicine. Furthermore, Japanese and Australian engineers cooperated to build a scooter pad and futsal court for Metinaro Military Barracks.
However, the event's main goal was for US Seabees and Australian military engineers to build two new barracks. The Seabees are responsible for constructing roads, bridges, bunkers, and more for the US Navy. Near the end of construction, Australian Officer Commanding Major Daniel Luhrs told the Australian Government Department of Defence that “these new barracks will significantly enhance the living conditions for Timor-Leste’s soldiers, especially as they look to accommodate more female personnel.”
Yet, the Timorese military was not the only group to benefit from this exercise. In Dili, Timor-Leste's capital, Australian military personnel hosted a barbecue that fed more than 500 children. This was in collaboration with Kantina Matak, a food assistance program at the Presidential Palace.
History of Success
Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk began in 2013 and is an annual event. In 2024, 250 participants from the five participating countries joined 14 training activities across Timor-Leste. This broke the previous year’s record of 230 participants.
Last year, the exercise included subject matter exchanges in generator repair, explosives searching, and casualty rescue. Throughout the years, US Seabees played a key role in building food preparation sites and water purification systems in 2021. In 2015, US Seabees built a schoolhouse and repaired a soccer field at Hera Naval Base.
Fostering Mutual Respect
Aside from building infrastructure, the exercise also strengthens camaraderie between participating countries. In a post on their official X account, the Japanese Self Defense Forces praised the exercise for enhancing relationships with Timor-Leste, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Australian Major Luhrs commented to the Australian Department of Defence that the exercise is “about building relationships.”
Moreover, Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk can improve the reputation of Timor-Leste's small defense force, which consists of about 2,000 personnel across two infantry battalions and a few naval patrol boats. Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek of Timor-Leste told Tatoli journalists, “It is very beneficial for us to participate in military exercises with these countries, even though our armed forces are still in development. Through a joint military exercise, our country will be respected globally.”
Engaging Partners on a Global Stage
While the exercise was only conducted in Timor-Leste, these activities are significant at an international level. For instance, this is a great example of the US engaging with two partners of the Quad, a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the US. Japan and Australia have not committed significant resources to security efforts in places like the Indian Ocean, so annual commitments like Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk can ensure consistent contributions and cooperation.
Additionally, these exercises help the US get closer to Timor-Lester during a very critical period. Recently, ASEAN has agreed to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN. This would give Timor-Leste access to international agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade agreement. After ASEAN leaders suggested easing membership requirements, Timor-Leste could possibly join ASEAN in 2025 or 2026.
Daniel Salgado-Alvarez is a Fall 2024 Young Professional at the East-West Center. He is a recent graduate from Harvard University, where he studied sociology and East Asian studies.