“We will deploy a Boeing aircraft to monitor surreptitious radical movements in North Maluku,” said TNI commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo as quoted by Antara during his visit to Ternate, on Thursday.

He said the deployment of the reconnaissance aircraft would be accompanied by additional sea vessels, which would carry out sea patrols in several locations considered prone to terrorist infiltration, especially the outermost areas, such as Morotai Island regency.

Gatot said the TNI also planned to build military bases on several of Indonesia's outermost islands, including Morotai Island.

Once construction of the military base on Morotai Island is complete, the TNI will install a primary weaponry defense system specially designed for border area security.

Gatot said the program, which was initiated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, would be realized after the construction of a military base on Natuna Island in northwestern Kalimantan was completed.

“Based on the program initiated by President Jokowi, Morotai is one of the islands where we will build a military base supported by primary weaponry defense systems. This will be conducted in stages. Once the construction of the military base on Natuna is completed, we will move to Morotai,” he said. (saf/ebf)

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