Indonesia deploying F-16 jets to protect territory in South China Sea

From Update.Ph (Apr 1): Indonesia deploying F-16 jets to protect territory in South China Sea

Indonesia said that five Indonesian Air Force F-16 fighter jets will be deployed to its Natuna islands in South China Sea days after a stand-off transpired between Indonesian authorities and Chinese Coast Guard. This was revealed to Bloomberg by Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.

“The move is part of a military buildup on islands overlooking the South China Sea that will see a refurbished runway and a new port constructed, Ryamizard Ryacudu said in an interview on Thursday with Bloomberg News. It also involves the deployment of marines, air force special force units, an army battalion, three frigates, a new radar system and drones, he said,” Bloomberg reports.

“Natuna is a door, if the door is not guarded then thieves will come inside,” said Ryacudu. “There has been all this fuss because until now it has not been guarded. This is about the respect of the country.”

Last March 19, it was reported that Indonesian officials arrested eight crew members of a Chinese trawler, but a Chinese coast guard boat interfered and took the trawler back into the South China Sea.

Indonesia is not a claimant in West Philippine Sea.

The Chinese side previously said that China has no objection to Indonesia’s sovereignty over the Natuna islands.

http://www.update.ph/2016/04/indonesia-deploying-f-16-jets-to-protect-territory-in-south-china-sea/3767