Australia and Indonesia concluded a joint maritime security patrol between the two countries’ waters on April 5.
Illegal fishing was the focus the fifth coordinated maritime security patrol, code-named Ausindo Corpat 2016.
The patrol had elements of the Australian Defence Force unite with the Indonesian Armed Forces in the waters between Australia and Indonesia over a period of ten days to target the exploitation of natural resources.
Commencing in Darwin, the operation included aircraft, ships and headquarters staff from both nations in two synchronized task groups. The ADF contributed HMAS Wollongong and an AP-3C Orion aircraft, while the Indonesian Armed Forces provided naval vessels KRI Sampari and Layang along with maritime patrol aircraft.
The combined operation was conducted to improve coordinated maritime security between the ADF and Indonesian Armed Forces along the Australian and Indonesian shared maritime boundaries from North of the Tiwi Islands to targeted areas near Indonesia.
The Deputy Commander (ADF) of Joint Task Force 639, Commodore Brenton Smyth , RAN, said the coordinated patrols gave personnel from both nations the ability to share information and enhance each country’s ability to detect illegal fishermen.
“Australia and Indonesia are near neighbours, and the valuable skills we can hone allow our personnel at sea and in the air to work together to address illegal activity along our exclusive economic zone boundaries,” Commodore Smyth said.
The Commander of the Indonesian Navy’s Sea Combat Training Group Eastern Fleet, Commodore I.N.G Ariawan , said the patrol incorporated a number of joint evolutions designed to enhance information sharing and interoperability between the forces of the two nations.
“Our Defence Forces have once again made great progress in improving our maritime security procedures through developing our communications and information sharing techniques,” Commodore Ariawan said.