The joint air patrol codenamed "Malaysia-Indonesia (Malindo) Coordinated Air Patrol Series II Year 2023," was aimed at protecting the air border of the two countries while strengthening cooperation between the two air forces.
Head of the Air Force Information Office, First Marshal R. Agung Sasongkojati, informed here on Thursday that the Indonesian Air Force deployed F-16 fighters for the patrol activity, while the Malaysian Air Force deployed Hawk 100/200 fighters.
The F-16 fighters used in the joint patrol were based at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base, Pekanbaru, Riau, while the Malaysian Hawk 100/200 aircraft were based in Butterworth, Penang.
"This cooperation is very important to fulfill security in the border area of Indonesia and Malaysia. Both air forces are committed to supervising and maintaining the security of airspace on the border, especially in the Malacca Strait," Sasongkojati said, according to an official statement.
The joint patrol is a part of a security and defense cooperation agreed upon by Indonesia and Malaysia within the framework of the Malaysia-Indonesia General Border Committee (GBC Malindo).
At the 43rd GBC Malindo regular meeting in Jakarta on October 12, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Defense Minister Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan agreed that the two countries would hold a coordinated patrol to prevent cross-border crimes, while maintaining regional security.
"One of the important achievements is the successful coordinated patrol of the two countries. We take this step to combat various cross-border crimes that threaten security and stability in border areas," Subianto said at the meeting.
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Translator: Genta M, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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