Antara News, Thursday, July 1, 2010 18:38 WIB
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume dedicated $56 million in coastal and shipboard radar systems at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Batam Regional Maritime Command Center on Wednesday (June 30).
The systems included 16 coastal radars, 11 shipboard radars, one set of headquarters equipment and two regional command centers, according to information on the official website of the US embassy here Thursday.
The Indonesian and US governments actively collaborated in the planning and installation of the systems. Indonesia can now boast one of the world`s longest Integrated Maritime Surveillance Systems, the embassy said.
The network covers more than 1,205 kilometers of coast line in the Straits of Malacca and approximately 1,285 kilometers of coast line in the Sulawesi Sea.
The intent of the donation is to ensure Indonesia has an initial operating capacity to detect, track and monitor vessels passing through Indonesian and international waters,the US embassy said.
This capability will help Indonesia combat piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling of goods and people as well as provide situational awareness to maintain Indonesia`s border security and fight terrorism.
