Australia, Indonesia develop defense plan for gas fields
Australia, Indonesia develop defense plan for gas fields
SYDNEY (AFP): Australia is working with Indonesia to develop a defense strategy for a rich natural gas field in the South China Sea.
A report, in this week's edition of the Australian Defense Magazine, said the two nations have developed a draft plan which includes options for placing radars and surface-to-air missiles aboard gas production platforms.
The magazine said other elements of the plan include the possible use of aircraft, satellites or long-range radar for strategic surveillance and early warning.
The Australian Defense Department was not available for comment yesterday.
Last month, however, a defense official confirmed that both countries were conducting a one-off surveillance project for the Natuna Islands and associated offshore gas fields. This was part of an ongoing defense cooperation program.
The Department of Defense's first assistant secretary for international policy, Alan Dehm, told a Senate committee that Indonesia had requested Australian assistance.
He said a small team of Australian defense officials and specialists visited Indonesia in April to help develop a plan for the defense of islands and gas field.
But he downplayed the potential for conflict with China or any other country with territorial claims in the South China Sea.
"Neither this activity nor any other aspect of our cooperation with Indonesia is directed at any third country," he said, adding it did not affect any other country's claims in the South China Sea.
Dehm said the Natuna Islands were an undisputed part of Indonesian territory and Indonesia clearly had a legitimate right to defend those islands.
"An important aspect of this collaboration is for us to share with Indonesia the benefits of our own structured approach to planning," he said.
The Natuna Islands, south west of the disputed Spratly Islands, lie within Indonesian territory, east of Brunei.
The Natuna field reportedly contains vast quantities of natural gas, with reserves estimated to be worth A$35 billion (US$26 billion). It is expected to come on line in 2003.
The magazine said the Indonesian national oil company Pertamina holds a 24 percent share of the field, with the Indonesian armed forces prepared to expend considerable resources to defend that interest.