Navy needs more warships

CILACAP, Central Java (JP): Indonesian Navy's Eastern Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Adi Haryono said on Thursday that the Navy needed more warships in safeguarding the country's waters from sea intruders, citing that its current 114 warships were far from enough.

Adi said ideally there should be at least 500 ships to maximize the Navy's jobs, including its duties to stop the rampant fish theft by foreign vessels.

"We find difficulties in overcoming security disturbances in our waters due to our limited ships," he said in a dialog with Cilacap local officials.

Cilacap Regent Hery Tabri asked the Navy to step up its patrols along the regency's coast to stop illegal fishing by foreign companies, especially Hong Kong-based firms. (45/prb)