TNI Commander: ASEX-01 Natuna Forms Military Support For AOIP

TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono/ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi

TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono stated that the joint exercise with ASEAN Solidarity Exercise (ASEX-01 N) Natuna 2023 in Batam, 18 23 September 2023, is a form of support for the armed forces of ASEAN member countries for ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

The joint exercise, which was first held and attended by all armed forces of ASEAN member countries, carried the ASEAN Sentrality and the main vision of ASEAN's Perspective of Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific is the fulfillment of ASEAN's role to maintain peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. This outlook prioritizes inclusive and open dialogue as well as cooperation in maintaining maritime security, economy, connectivity, and sustainable development goals (SDGs), and military cooperation is part of the implementation of AOIP in the future," said Admiral Yudo during a Panel Discussion on Experts (SMEE) in Batam, Riau Islands. reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 19.

SMEE, which is part of the ASEX-01 Natuna 2023 training series, raised issues of non-traditional security and threat in the Southeast Asian region. During the discussion, the TNI Commander gave a key speech (keynote speech), followed by a number of other speakers, namely the Commander of the Marine Combat Group (Danguspurla) Fleet Command I First Admiral (Laksma) Muhammad Taufik and Singapore LTC Information Center (IFC) Chief Justice Yong.

Laksma Muhammad Taufik at the event identified forms of non-traditional threats and ways of anticipating through the perspective of military cooperation in ASEAN. Meanwhile, delegates from Singapore discussed steps to follow up on cooperation in exchanging information between countries in the region.

Regarding cooperation between countries in ASEAN, the TNI Commander emphasized ASEAN member countries not to be dragged into the debate and geopolitical tension of the world.

"Don't let us be faced with the choice to side with one camp. We must be at the forefront of maintaining centrality principles, maintaining relevance (ASEAN in the region), and being at the forefront of turning rivalry into cooperation, as well as changing distrust into a strategic mutual sense of trust," said Admiral Yudo.

In the ASEX-01 Natuna 2023, as many as 10 ASEAN member countries attended and participated in a series of exercises, while Timor Leste became the only country to act as observers (observers).

The series of training activities held include marine security operations (maritime security), joint patrols (maritime patrols), search and rescue exercises (SAR), post-disaster recovery exercises (HA/DR) and social services, health service programs for the community (MEDCAP), infrastructure development programs for the community (ENCAP).

Then another series of exercises, landing of helicopters/airplanes on board the ship (deck landing qualification) and training on fuel or sending munitions/other items in the middle of the sea (replenishment at sea).

The joint patrol exercise will be followed by a number of Indonesian, Malaysian, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore warships. Indonesia deployed two warships for the 2023 ASEX-01 Natuna, namely KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992 and KRI Jhon Lie-358.

The Malaysian Army deployed a patrol boat KD Terengganu, Brunei Darussalam with the KDB Darulehsan patrol boat, and Singapore deployed a corvette type warship of RSS Vigour. The ships will patrol together in the North Natuna Sea during ASEX-01 Natuna which ends on September 23, 2023.