By Girish Linganna
The geopolitical rivals United States of America, China, and Russia, were among the nations that took part in naval drills, Multilateral Naval Exercise KOMODO (MNEK), held in the waters off the coast of Indonesia to improve their ability to work together during a humanitarian crisis.
From the 5th until the 8th of June, Indonesia played home to the military drills in the Makassar Strait. In the exercises that took place between Borneo and Sulawesi, the participation of 49 countries was required. These countries included regional adversaries such as North and South Korea, India, and Pakistan.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic that began in 2018, 2023 was the first iteration since the epidemic. The subject for this year’s MNEK was “Partnership to Recover and to Rise Stronger”.
During the Komodo exercises, participants responded to humanitarian emergencies at sea and on land, including those caused by natural disasters. Lighter festivities, such as a city parade, gourmet programme, and maritime exhibition, will also be held in conjunction with the naval manoeuvres that will be taking place.
Since 2014, nations all around the world have participated in the multinational Komodo exercises at a rate of once every two years. According to the information provided by the fleet, the manoeuvres are being done in order to improve the relationship while at sea.
When questioned about the possibility of tensions arising with Russia and China as a result of the drills, a representative from the United States Navy stressed that the United States would continue to cooperate with Indonesia to guarantee that the region will remain open and accessible.
United States Navy was represented by the assets assigned to DESRON 7, the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14) and the associated MH-60R Seahawk. DESRON 7 is the forward-deployed DESRON (destroyer squadron) of the United States Navy in Southeast Asia. In this capacity, it serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships that are rotationally deployed to Singapore. Additionally, it serves as the Sea Combat Commander for Expeditionary Strike Group 7 and builds partnerships through the conduct of training exercises and military-to-military engagements.
The Russian Ministry of Defence issued a statement on June 10 stating that the participation of a detachment of ships from the Pacific Fleet in the international exercise was carried out as part of the tasks of a long-range journey in the Asia-Pacific region. The ships, in conjunction with the planes of the naval aviation of foreign naval forces, carried out certain aspects of the manoeuvring in the waters of the Java Sea as part of the combined activities that were being carried out. The Russians dispatched the corvettes Gromky and Perfect in addition to the medium-sized sea tanker Pechenga.
According to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Defence on May 31, the Zhanjiang and Xuchang ships of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy will set sail for Indonesia in response to an invitation from the Indonesian Navy to take part in the Komodo 2023 multinational joint maritime exercise, which is scheduled to take place at the beginning of June.
There is a disparity in the total number of countries that took part in the competition. Admiral Denny Prasetio of the Indonesian Navy stated earlier that the Indonesian Navy has sent an invitation to 45 countries to participate in the Komodo exercise in June 2023. According to a report by the news agency ANTARA on June 5, a total of 36 countries were present at the ceremony. According to reports, a total of 47 countries were invited to participate. However, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence, approximately thirty countries took part in the exercise. At the same time, the United States Navy announced that twenty different countries had taken part.
MNEK 2023 is unlike any other multinational naval exercises that have taken place in the region because it places emphasis on aspects of operational-level training that do not include actual combat. An engineering and medical civic action programmes, an international maritime security conference, community outreach, military sports activities, and an international fleet review were all part of the exercise’s shore phase.
The news agency ANTARA on June 5 reported that the representatives of the fleets of the states signed a memorandum of understanding in cooperation regarding joint strengthening and recuperation.
The capabilities of some of the participating countries’ aircraft were displayed during the opening ceremony of the air show by some of the participating countries, such as the Russian fighters Sukhoi 27/30, the Canadian Thunder Flight, and the Indonesian Bonanza, according to the Indonesian news agency.
All foreign ships came to a stop in the waters off of Sulawesi, and crew members were taken ashore via ferry. The Indonesian Navy stated that it had arranged for icebreakers, city tours, concerts, medical training, and an international symposium on marine security for the guests. After that, the marines went back to their respective boats. (IPA Service)