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Navy conducts fire-support exercise in South Natuna Sea
The Indonesian Navy’s First Fleet Command (Koarmada I) deployed nine warships and an aircraft for a fire-support exercise in the South Natuna Sea that started on Wednesday.
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he Indonesian Navy’s First Fleet Command (Koarmada I) deployed nine warships and an aircraft for a fire-support exercise in the South Natuna Sea that started on Wednesday.
“The exercise is aimed at measuring the capabilities of Koarmada I’s personnel and elements when conducting an operation, so we can get a picture of the fleet’s capabilities,” Koarmada I chief Rear Adm. Abdul Rasyid said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“Koarmada I is the Indonesian Navy’s operational command, whose duties are to uphold the unity and sovereignty of Indonesia as a deterrent and striking force against all armed and military threats.”
Abdul Rasyid added that the exercise focused on the interoperability among the various units under Koarmada I, and therefore tactical cooperation among the exercise elements was needed in the fields of command, control and communication while at the same time paying attention to procedures to ensure zero accidents.
During the exercise, Koarmada I deployed KRI Bung Tomo-357 and KRI John Lie-358 multirole light frigates; KRI Sutedi Senoputra-378 and KRI Tjiptadi-381 antisubmarine warfare corvettes; KRI Barakuda-633 fast patrol boat; as well as KRI Kujang-642, KRI Surik-645, KRI Parang-647 and KRI Bubara-868 fast missile boats.
Also being deployed is a CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
The fire-support exercise consisted of several exercise items such as an air defense exercise, gunning exercise and tactical maneuvers.
The Navy has been increasing its presence in the North Natuna Sea to counter Chinese excursion into Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Navy is now deploying four warships to patrol the Indonesian EEZ in the North Natuna Sea.
More recently, Navy chief of staff Adm. Yudo Margono announced Monday that he would move Koarmada I’s Sea Combat Task Force (Guspurla) from the fleet headquarters in Jakarta to Natuna Island, Riau Islands province.
“The move is a response to various foreign threats, especially on the border of Indonesian territory, such as the heated situation in the South China Sea.
Chinese fishermen often intrude into the Indonesian EEZ in the North Natuna Sea. Most of the time, the Chinese fishermen are escorted by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels.
The incursions into the Indonesian EEZ by Chinese fishermen and CCG vessels were based on China’s unilateral claims of the waters being Chinese traditional fishing grounds as well as the disputed and not internationally recognized nine-dash line.
While Indonesia and China do not have overlapping territorial claims based on the 12-nautical mile territorial sea, the nine-dash line overlaps with the Indonesian EEZ, which is internationally recognized.
Other than the Navy, the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) is also deploying a patrol vessel to the North Natuna Sea.
Separately in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, the Second Fleet Command (Koarmada II) is conducting a joint tactical maneuver exercise with the Kartika Jala Krida 2020 task force.
The fleet's Guspurla is conducting the Perisai Sakti-20 operation to secure the maritime border with Malaysia while the Kartika Jaka Krida 2020 is currently sailing across the country as part of the curriculum for the Naval Academy cadets onboard the KRI Bima Suci tallship.
The Koarmada II Guspurla’s warships include the KRI Fatahillah-361 corvette, the KRI Terapang-648 and KRI Singa-651 fast missile boats, the KRI Sidat-851 fast patrol boat and an NC-212 MPA. (nvn)
