Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) – At least 40 military vessels from 18 countries will join Multilateral Naval Exercise (MNE) Komodo 2014 in Batam, Natuna and Anambas area on April 2014.
“There will be 40 military vessels joining the Komodo naval exercise,” stated Commander Navy Base IV of Tanjungpinang First Admiral Agus Heryana here, on Monday.
According to Agus, Indonesia will deploy 12 naval vessels such as two Van Speijk, two Sigma, two Landing Platform Dock (LPD), two ATF, two PK ships and an LST vessels.
The vessels will dock their anchors in Batu Ampar Sea Port during the exercise.
“The Sea port will accommodate all Indonesian vessels, while the other vessels will dock outside the sea port. The vessels will come to the sea port gradually,” Agus noted.
He added that several senior Navy officers will gather in Batam to discuss the MNE Komodo 2014.
The admiral also stated that the event will increase revenue and the economic conditions of Batam people since the Navy soldiers will visit the island to buy things for logistics and other needs.
The soldiers will also hold several events in Batam Island. “They will also hold events on land. The soldiers will purchase things,” Agus explained.
There are ten participants following the MNE Komodo 2014 such as Indonesia as the host, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.
Besides ASEAN countries, there are eight other countries that will follow the agenda such as India, Japan, S Korea, Australia, New Zealand, USA, China, and Russia.
Source: http://www.antaranews.com/