Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and the US have agreed to intensify their cooperation in naval training exercises by also conducting training programs for submarines and mine sweepers.

Indonesian Navy spokesman Commodore Tri Prasodjo said to ANTARA News seeking confirmation about it here on Thursday that the addition of the two programs was done in view of the pattern of future threats and predictions.

Speaking after attending a meeting between Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Soeparno and US Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Scott Van Buskirk, he said the two programs would be implemented in joint exercises next year.

Tri said in connection with it the two sides are now continuing to strengthen the pattern and mechanism of cooperation that would be carried out namely joint submarine and mine sweeping exercise.

"So far we have had cooperation programs such as joint exercise and exchange of officers," he said.

He said the Indonesian and US navies had routinely carried out Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training or CARAT exercise.

"The submarine and mine sweeping operations training materials would possibly be included in the exercise," he said.

Besides meeting with the navy chief of staff Vice Admiral Van Buskirk also visited the Western Fleet Command headquarters.
(T.R018/H-YH/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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