Makassar, S Sulawesi – 3 Indonesian marine ships took part in a military drill in the Makassar waters, South Sulawesi Province, on Wednesday to reinforce their maritime surveillance and coordination capability in warfare.
” Today, the KRI Pulau Rimau-724, KRI Pari-849, and KRI Tatihu-853 are conducting a wedding rehearsal of tactical maneuvers. This drill is being monitored by the Naval Main Base (Lantamal) VI officers,” Lantamal VI Commander, First Admiral Hanarko Djodi, said.
Throughout the drill, the 3 battle ships practiced developments for counter-attacks and defensive measures and simulated threats postured by opponent fleets, he said, adding the crew likewise practiced pennant hoisting and semaphore signaling.
According to the KRI Pulau Riau-724 leader, Major Alkadri, the drill was focused on reinforcing the combat preparedness of Indonesian marine ships in maritime security operations.
Due to Indonesia’s large unique economic zone (EEZ), which is plentiful in marine resources, lots of foreign fishing vessels have actually been discovered trespassing the country’s EEZ, he stated.
Therefore, Indonesia is working to enhance security in its waters, he described.
Related news: Four Indonesian marine ships on standby in E. Kalimantan for patrol
In 2015, ANTARA noted 2 circumstances of Chinese coast guard vessels escorting 10s of Chinese fishing boats to Indonesia’s EEZ near the Natuna waters on December 19 and December 24.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry has lodged an official protest by summoning the Chinese ambassador in Jakarta over current infractions by Chinese coast guard vessels in the Indonesian EEZ near Natuna waters.
Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly violated Indonesia’s EEZ rights over the previous three years.
In March 2016, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi had actually lodged a demonstration with the Chinese charge d’affaires in Jakarta, Sun Weide, over Chinese coast guard offenses in Indonesian waters.
Early this year, Chinese coast guard vessels were found accompanying a number of fishing vessels to poach on Indonesia’s EEZ near the Natuna waters.
On January 11 this year, a Chinese coast guard vessel (registration number 5302) attempted to obstruct Indonesian marine ship (KRI) Usman Harun-359 from a distance of around 55 meters in the Indonesian EEZ near the Natuna waters in Riau Island Province.
Chinese fishing boats had actually been escorted to the area by six Chinese coast guard vessels and a ship from China’s maritime security company and were discovered spreading their nets for poaching.
In action, Indonesian marine ships (KRI) Usman Harun-359, KRI Jhon Lie-358, and KRI Karel Satsuitubun-356 were released to expel the Chinese fishing vessels from the Indonesian EEZ.
The on-duty Indonesian officers tried to assist them understand the concepts of worldwide law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982, which has actually been validated by both Indonesia and China.
Associated news: TNI verifies Chinese vessels have actually left Indonesian EEZ
