Indonesia plans to buy bigger ships for coast guard
Indonesia plans to buy bigger vessels to allow its coast guards to travel across the ocean, notably the Natuna Sea off Riau Islands, and expand their patrol reach, local media reported.
A ship of Indonesia Coast Guard. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia plans to buy bigger vessels to allow its coast guards to travel acrossthe ocean, notably the Natuna Sea off Riau Islands, and expand their patrol reach, local media reported.
The plan was announced after Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto hadreportedly bought frigates for the Indonesian Navy from Denmark.
Maritime Affairs and InvestmentCoordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the Maritime SecurityAgency (Bakamla), which soon becomes the country’s coast guard, will need shipswith the size of those Danish vessels.
The Ministry ofDefence has boughtocean-going vessels for the Navy from Denmark, Luhut said,adding that they arebetween 138 and 150 meters in length and those frigates can sail across theocean.
The appointment of Bakamla as coastguard is mentioned in a bill being deliberated by the Indonesian House of Representatives. The billseeks to settle overlapping roles in domestic maritime securities.
There are multiple institutions incharge of maritime security including the Bakamla, the Water Police, theIndonesian Navy and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry’s sea patrols.
The Natuna Sea has come under Jakarta’s attention due to reported illegalfishing by foreign ships at its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Accordingto Bakamla, atleast 63 Chinese fishing and coast guard vessels entered Natuna waters withoutauthorisation between December 19 – 24./.
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A ship of Indonesia Coast Guard. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)
