Malacca needs more warships, says TNI

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Military (TNI) requires at least 36 warships to ensure effective security in the Strait of Malacca, where piracy is rampant, a senior officer said on Saturday.

Western Region Fleet Military Commander Second Vice Adm. Didik Purnomo said that 36 warships were needed because pirates were well-organized and equipped with more sophisticated weapons.

"In order to operate maximally, we need 36 warships in the Strait of Malacca. Now we only have six," he said after conducting an inspection off Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, along with his successor Vice Adm. Tejo E. Purdijatno.

Didik will transfer his current post to Tejo on Monday at Dermaga Ujung port in Surabaya, East Java, in a ceremony to be led by Navy chief Adm. Slamet Soebijanto.

During Saturday's traditional event, Didik and Tejo made a direct inspection of Indonesian warships. --Antara