Radar repairs to boost security in Indonesia-PNG waters: navy

 Indonesia's Navy is repairing a radar at Skouw Sae Naval Post in Papua to boost security in Indonesia-Papua New Guinea waters, a regional commander said.

Repairs are ongoing, and the radar is expected to be operational in 2027, Maj. Gen. Sugianto, commander of Naval Regional Command X, told ANTARA in Jayapura on Thursday.

Alongside the radar repairs, construction is underway on a diesel fuel storage tank in the Perasko area of Jayapura, he said.

Once completed, the facility is expected to support security operations in Indonesian waters along the border with Papua New Guinea, he said.

The border waters are vulnerable to smuggling, including marijuana, Sugianto said.

Naval Regional Command X currently lacks sufficient assets because its warships remain in Sorong, but they will be moved to Jayapura once the fuel storage tank is operational, he said.

The command patrols the border and urges coastal residents to report suspected trafficking in illegal goods, he said.

Sugianto said community cooperation was essential to efforts to detect and prevent smuggling along the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border.