Hence, due to the various challenges, the Indonesian Fleet Command has been formed.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Fleet Command (Koarmada RI) has been established to deal with challenges in Indonesian waters, including in the South China Sea, Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Yudo Margono, has said.

"It has been assessed that various military activities in the South China Sea will be a challenge for Indonesia," he expounded after inaugurating the Koarmada RI at Pondok Dayung Pier, Tanjung Priok sub-district, Jakarta, on Thursday.

The fleet command is required since there are a number of contested waters in the western region of Indonesia, such as the Natuna Sea, the Malacca Strait, the Singapore Strait, and Indonesia’s maritime border with India, he said.

"Meanwhile, in the eastern region of Indonesia, the concerned areas are the Ambalat sea block, Indonesia’s water border with Pacific Ocean, and Arafuru Sea. Hence, due to the various challenges, the Indonesian Fleet Command has been formed," he added.

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The fleet command has been established according to Presidential Regulation Number 66/2019, Indonesian Military Commander Regulation Number 23/2021, and Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Regulation Number 3/2022, he said.

Margono also inaugurated Vice Admiral Agung Prasetiawan as the first Indonesian Fleet Commander on Thursday.

The Koarmada RI has three regional fleet commands, which will be responsible for maintaining and operating the navy’s Integrated Fleet Weapon System (SSAT) that consists of warships, aircrafts, marine corps, and naval bases, he said.

Fleet Command I, which will be responsible for western Indonesian waters, is based in Jakarta and led by Rear Admiral Arsyad Abdullah, he informed.

Fleet Command II is based in Surabaya city, East Java province, and led by Rear Admiral Iwan Isnurwanto. It will be responsible for the development and operation of the navy in the central Indonesian waters, he added.

Meanwhile, Fleet Command III will be responsible for eastern Indonesian waters. It is based in Sorong city, West Papua province, and led by Rear Admiral Irvansyah, he said.

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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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