Indonesia sends F-16s to the East Sea to fight "theft"

Indonesia will send F-16 fighter jets to the Natuna Islands, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu told Bloomberg on March 31.

Indonesia accuses Chinese Coast Guard ship of violating territorial waters. Photo: Reuters.

Five F-16s will be stationed in Natuna as part of Jakarta's plan to strengthen its military capabilities in the archipelago. Indonesia plans to renovate the airport runway and build a port in Natuna. According to Minister Ryacudu, the military has deployed and will deploy marines, air force, special forces, along with an infantry battalion, three missile boats, a newly completed radar station and many drones in the archipelago.

“Natuna is a door. If the door is not protected, thieves will sneak in. This step is appropriate because at the moment, Natuna is not protected. It helps (countries) respect Indonesia,” Mr. Ryacudu said. The head of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense added that Jakarta is considering deploying conscripts to Natuna and another remote cliff, in case of uncertainty, “people there will not be afraid and will know what to do.”

Minister Ryacudu’s statement came two weeks after a “clash” between a Chinese coast guard vessel and an Indonesian law enforcement vessel. The coast guard vessel tried to block the Indonesian vessel from towing a Chinese fishing boat that had been detained for illegal fishing.

According to News