STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT. The Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John C. Aquilino visited Indonesia to strengthen the U.S. military relationship with Indonesia. In a press conference with Indonesian Armed Force (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa in Jakarta on Monday, he expressed his gratitude for the visit to Indonesia and stressed the importance of the U.S.-Indonesia relationship.
Admiral Aquilino revealed that during the meeting with TNI Commander, they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation towards joint operations and praised Indonesian Military Commander Andika Perkasa’s vision of holding more complex joint exercises to meet security challenges in the region.
General Andika expressed hope for an integrated or joint three-dimensional exercise with U.S. Armed Forces. Answering a question on AUKUS, Admiral Aquilino said AUKUS is an agreement between the three countries, the U.S., U.K., and Australia, to jointly improve their capabilities in all areas–under the sea, above the sea, in the air, in space, and cyber–to ward off conflict and maintain peace and stability in the region.
The Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John C. Aquilino in a press conference in Jakarta on Monday reaffirmed commitment to continue promoting a free and open navigation in the South China Sea. He said it is very important that the prosperity in the region over the past 80 years is based on free and open access to global common interests, in accordance with the international rules.
He said the United States will support continued compliance with international rules for the safety, stability, and prosperity of all nations in the region. Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Andhika Perkasa said Indonesia continues to carry out security patrols on the South China Sea borders or the North Natuna Sea to maintain the territorial security and Indonesia’s sovereign right.
The Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John C. Aquilino said he welcomed Indonesia’s intention to purchase the F-15 fighter jets from the United States. He said the United States is working with Indonesian Defense Minister for the Indonesia’s choice of F15s. He added the interoperability will improve when the two countries’ forces have the same equipment.
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on Monday received a visit from the Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John C. Aquilino and his delegation at Defense Ministry in Jakarta on Monday, to discuss a number of issues, including training and education program as a cooperation between the ministry and U.S. Department of Defense, issues and challenges in the South China Sea, the U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific region in 2022, as well as the development of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister Prabowo also expressed gratitude for the USINDOPACOM’s assistance in the areas of defense and humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster in Aceh and Padang, as well as in the search for KRI Nanggala-402.
U.S. Commander for the Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John C. Aquilino on Sunday said that China has militarized at least three islands in the South China Sea, arming them with anti-ship systems, anti-aircraft missiles, lasers, fighter jets, and other military equipment. He said the militarization was part of China’s efforts to demonstrate its strength and defied Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge not to convert islands in the South China Sea to military sites.
The U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance plane on Sunday looked over Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea. From the air, the pilots monitored the appearance of Chinese structures and buildings on an artificial island located on Mischief Reef, precisely in the Spratlys Islands. During patrols, the P-8A Poseidon plane was repeatedly warned by Chinese callers that it was illegally entering what they said was Chinese territory and ordered the aircraft to stay away. However, U.S. Navy aircraft ignored the various warnings and continued reconnaissance.
The Indonesian Navy has launched two fast patrol ships (PC-60 M), Indonesian Vessel (KRI) Dorang-874 and KRI Bawal-875, built by a domestic corporation, demonstrating the independence of the defense industry. Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono on Monday said the construction of the ships was in accordance with the determined strategic planning, which aimed to support the task of the Navy.
KRI Dorang-874 will be deployed to strengthen the patrol team of Ambon Naval Base (Lantamal IX) in Maluku, while KRI Bawal-875 will carry out patrol duties at Sorong Naval Base (Lantamal XlV) in West Papua. Admiral Yudo added the Navy’s 60 M fast patrol ships will be armed with missiles (Red/many sources).