Indonesian Naval Forces Secure 448 Tonnes of Tin from Bangka Belitung through 2026

JAKARTA — The Indonesian Navy has reported successfully recovering approximately 448 tonnes of tin from Bangka Belitung.

A total of 28 Indonesian naval vessels have been deployed to block key maritime points in Bangka Belitung waters to prevent tin smuggling throughout 2025–2026.

“During 2025 through 2026, no fewer than 28 Indonesian naval vessels have conducted blockade operations in the waters of Bangka Belitung. No fewer than 448 tonnes of tin have been recovered,” said Vice Admiral Yayan Sofiyan, Assistant to the Operations of the Chief of Naval Staff, at the Navy Headquarters in North Jakarta on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

Law enforcement operations in the Bangka Belitung region are continuing to protect Indonesia’s strategic natural resources from smuggling operations.

To this end, the Navy conducted anti-access and anti-amphibious exercises in the Bangka Belitung archipelago waters on Sunday, 15 February 2026.

According to Yayan, this represents one of the Navy’s contributions to implementing President Prabowo Subianto’s directives on law enforcement and the elimination of various illegal activities.

“The concrete evidence is clear for all to see, and we all know that Bangka Belitung is a remarkable area with extraordinary natural resources,” he emphasised.