PLA to hold first joint naval drill with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan

The People's Liberation Army and Indonesian forces conducted their inaugural joint naval drill east of Taiwan, highlighting enhancing military collaboration between China and Indonesia. The PLA Navy's Type 054A frigate Honghe and the Indonesian Navy frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai were involved in the drill, which focused on maritime communications, formation manoeuvres, at-sea replenishment, and a passing exercise.

Crew members utilized tactical signals and signal flags to communicate and coordinate during the training. Both navies demonstrated close coordination, successfully accomplishing all planned objectives. This marks the first occasion the PLA performed drills with a foreign navy in the area, though no combat operations were involved.

The Indonesian Navy clarified that the exercises aimed to foster cooperation rather than prepare for conflict, aligning with Indonesia's non-aligned foreign policy. Taiwan expressed concerns over the exercise, deeming it a provocation. This drill follows an increase in Chinese government vessels' enforcement patrols in the eastern waters of Taiwan since June, prompted by Japan and the Philippines' plans to negotiate maritime delimitation in the region.

China views Taiwan as an integral part of its territory, ready for reunification by force if necessary. Despite the heightened tensions, the PLA has reduced fighter sorties near Taiwan in the first half of the year, possibly due to improvements in US-China relations. Meanwhile, tensions persist between China and US allies Japan and the Philippines.