US Provides 184 Information Technology Equipment for Bakamla to Monitor the Maritime Republic of Indonesia

Illustration. Bakamla ZMTh holds a training at the Bakamla RI Patrol Boat Dock Base in Serei Village, West Likupang, North Minahasa, North Sulawesi. (ANTARA-Bakamla RI Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The United States Embassy (US Embassy) in Jakarta, handed over 184 units of information technology equipment to the Indonesian Republic's Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla RI). The equipment is to strengthen maritime surveillance and supply chain security in national waters.

Quoting Antara, Wednesday, December 17, the US Embassy stated that the 26 types of equipment would support the operations of the Bakamla fusion center to be more sophisticated, and improve the ability to monitor Indonesia's vast coastline and prevent illegal trade.

The equipment is also expected to protect strategic trade routes and global supply chains that are vital to the Indo-Pacific region's economy, said a statement from the US Embassy in Jakarta.

Acting Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy Peter Haymond said the handover helped improve Bakamla's ability to maintain the coastline, combat transnational maritime crime, and protect vital trade interests.

Haymond said the event at the Bakamla Office reflected the strong partnership between the United States and Indonesia in promoting an open, safe, and stable Indo-Pacific region.

The United States, said Haymond, is committed to partnering with Indonesia to strengthen regional maritime security, in line with the common interests of maintaining freedom of navigation and trade stability.

Head of Bakamla RI Laksdya TNI Irvansyah expressed his appreciation to the Bureau of Narcotics Affairs and Law Enforcement of the US Department of State as the sponsor of the assistance.

He said the support of INL and the US Embassy would contribute greatly to the implementation of Bakamla's duties in security, safety, and law enforcement in Indonesian waters.

Bakamla RI plays a key role in safeguarding Indonesia's maritime sovereignty along more than 54,000 kilometers of coastline and around 17,000 islands.

The US Embassy considers Bakamla's efforts important for regional stability, which also supports the interests of the United States as well as the security and smooth Indo-Pacific trade.

This cooperation is part of a broader initiative, including continued support for the Maritime Training Center in Batam funded by INL to increase national capacity.

The US Embassy stated that it was ready to continue collaborating with Bakamla and other Indonesian partners to realize a safer, stronger, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

The assistance includes hardware, software, and support systems that enable cross-agency data integration, accelerate information analysis, and Bakamla's operational response to maritime threats.

This capacity-building is expected to improve interoperability, accountability, and patrol effectiveness, as well as deepen trust between the two countries' officials, the US Embassy said in a press statement.