Indonesia boosts border security to guard against 'future threats'

Indonesian officials say the country's air base in Makassar is being readied to respond to "any border violations" from Australia.

indonesia_military_aap.jpg

Indonesia's KOPASKA elite Navy commanndo unit stand to attention during security preparations for the APEC summit in Denpasar, Bali province. (AAP)

"We are watching four radars in Timika, Merauke (in Papua), Saumlaki (Maluku) and Buraen (East Nusa Tenggara), which all face Australia," Air Force chief spokesman Air Commodore Hadi Tjahjanto told The Jakarta Post.

"If we notice any border violations, our air base in Makassar will be ready. Australia is reachable from there."

The Indonesian government is reportedly proceeding with plans to boost their army, navy and air force presence to protect the country's "territorial integrity and sovereignty".

A regulation planned to come into effect in June will allow for new formations of defence groups, called Kogabwilhan, to located at flashpoint locations, The Jakarta Post reports.

The Indonesian government has reportedly ordered 30 F-16 fighters, a dozen Apache attack helicopters and 103 Leopard battle tanks from the US and Germany, with plans to purchase a dozen armed Russian submarines.

The changes are expected to enable the military to more readily respond to threats from other countries, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said.

"It will also serve as a deterrence to other countries as the command will have the flexibility and the needed resources for rapid deployment."
xp02-defensebudget.jpg.pagespeed.ic.DGxm34tAQu.jpg
The news comes after Australia's Immigration Minister Scott Morrison apologised to Indonesia after the Australian Navy admitted to entering Indonesian waters in error.

The development angered Indonesia's government, with the Security Affairs Minister, Djoko Suyanto, saying Australia should respect Indonesia’s sovereignty.

"Asylum seekers that have entered a country, including Australia, must be managed according to the UN Convention on Refugees," he said in a statement.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: SBS

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world