Indonesia boosts military presence near Australia and ramps up efforts to increase its firepower

10 years ago | Posted in: Latest Politics News | 571 Views

INDONESIA has boosted its military presence near Australia and ramped up moves to increase the firepower of its armed forces, according to a report.

It comes at a time of growing turmoil in Australia’s relationship with our northern neighbour after revelations last week Australian Navy vessels breached Indonesia’s territorial waters while enforcing the Coalition’s asylum seeker policy.

As The Jakarta Post reports, Indonesia has deployed “a number” of navy vessels to patrol its coast after the Australian incursion last week. The nation’s Air Force has alsoprogrammed four radars to monitor the country’s southern border.

Indonesia is reportedly awaiting the delivery of 30 F-16 fighters, a dozen Apache attack helicopters and 103 Leopard battle tanks from the US and Germany, and is purchasing a dozen Russian submarines armed with cruise missiles. Indonesia has also expanded its Marine Corps.

The Post also quoted an anonymous official who said a clash at sea could be “imminent”.

“Now that we have three frigates on the border, a clash could be imminent as our Navy will prevent the towing back,” the official said.

One expert told news.com.au the military upgrade was a response to fears about Australia, which is “front and centre” in the country’s mind at the moment, as well as concerns about other neighbours and growing powers such as India and China… see more

source: news.com.au

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