Navy launches operation to secure Malacca Strait<\/p>\n
Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Tanjung Uban, Riau Islands<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Navy launched a three-month operation on Tuesday
\nin a bid to fight rampant pirate attacks in the crucial Strait of
\nMalacca.<\/p>\n
Navy deputy chief of staff Vice Admiral W.R. Argawa said that
\nthe operation, named Gurita (Octopus), involved 90 patrol boats
\nand naval ships, four planes, two helicopters, and some 2,973
\npersonnel including marine and infantry units, amphibious scouts,
\nfrogman teams, and intelligence teams.<\/p>\n
He was speaking during a launching ceremony at the Mentigi
\nNavy base in Tanjung Uban.<\/p>\n
\"We'll work hard to make the Strait of Malacca a safe shipping
\nlane,\" Argawa pledged.<\/p>\n
He explained that the operation, which would cover the Strait
\nof Malacca and the Strait of Singapore, was part of efforts by
\nthe littoral states (Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore) to boost
\nsecurity in the crucial shipping lane.<\/p>\n
The relatively narrow 960-kilometer-long (600-mile) Strait of
\nMalacca, bordered by Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, is used
\nby an estimated 50,000 ships a year carrying a third of world
\ntrade and half its oil supplies.<\/p>\n
The three countries policing the strait have launched
\ncoordinated naval patrols since last year in a bid to better
\nsecure it against piracy and potential militant attacks, but
\nattacks on ships are still on the rise.<\/p>\n
The London-based Lloyd's Market Association's Joint War
\nCommittee reportedly added in June, the Strait of Malacca to 20
\nother areas, including Iraq, Lebanon and Nigeria, deemed to be
\nsecurity threats.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Argawa vowed that the Indonesian Military would not
\nallow the proposed involvement of foreign troops (from outside
\nthe littoral states) in securing the strait.<\/p>\n
He said what Indonesia needed was technological assistance
\nsuch as telecommunications equipment to help boost the capacity
\nof the Navy.<\/p>\n
\"The involvement of foreign troops will make us look weak. We
\ndon't want that,\" Argawa explained.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/navy-launches-operation-to-secure-malacca-strait-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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