JAKARTA: The Indonesian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy launched a six-day joint exercise which is being conducted in the Java Sea until Saturday.
Dubbed Malindo Jaya 26AB/22, the programme was opened at Majapahit Koarmada II at Dermaga Ujung in Surabaya, according to the Tempo.co portal.
The Commander of the Indonesian Navy 2nd Fleet Command, Rear Admiral T.S.N.B. Hutabarat, launched it with the Commander of the Royal Malaysian Navy Western Fleet, Vice Admiral Datuk Abu Bakar Bin Mohd Ajis, who was also at the opening ceremony.
Hutabarat said the joint exercise in the Java Sea would involve the main weapons system, four warships and two helicopters.
The warships deployed by the Indonesian Navy are KRI R.E. Martadinata 331, KRI Tombak-629, and a Panther Helicopter while the Malaysian Navy deployed the Royal Ship (KD) Sri Indra Sakti-1503, KD Lekiu-30, and Super Lynx Helicopter.
"This joint exercise will be carried out in two stages; the Harbor Phase and the Sea Phase, which is to be carried out in the waters at the Java Sea," Hutabarat said.
The joint exercise aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the maritime sector, he said
Both the navy hopes to tighten bilateral ties, testing the regular procedures for the joint training and focusing on aspects of Naval Warfare training combined with elements of Maritime Security or Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO), he added.
Meanwhile, Abu Bakar said the joint exercise is important for the Indonesian Navy and the Malaysian Navy, after almost four years of delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"So our relationship is getting closer. One day when military cooperation is needed at sea, it will be easy to implement it," he said.