Indonesia is intensifying maritime patrols and surveillance in response to repeated incursions by People’s Republic of China (PRC) coast guard vessels into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This follows a series of confrontations, including an October 2024 incident in which Indonesian patrol vessels intercepted and expelled a Chinese ship interfering with a seismic survey. The moves underscore Indonesia’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the increasingly contested South China Sea, portions of which Jakarta calls the North Natuna Sea.
Indonesian Coast Guard (Bakamla) and Navy ships, including the Pulau Dana and KRI Sutedi Senoputra, expelled the PRC coast guard vessel after it entered Indonesia’s EEZ and disrupted the MV Geo Coral, a survey vessel conducting seismic research for an Indonesian company. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) grants coastal states exclusive rights to any natural resources within their 200-nautical mile EEZ.
PRC vessels also have repeatedly intruded into the EEZs of other South China Sea claimant states, including Malaysia and the Philippines.
“The Chinese coast guard’s intrusion is part of a pattern of provocative actions in the region,” Mohamad Abdi, national coordinator at Destructive Fishing Watch Indonesia, which promotes sustainable use of marine resources, told FORUM. “The North Natuna Sea is a critical zone for Indonesia, both economically and strategically. Such incidents highlight the need for Indonesia to remain vigilant and enhance maritime security measures.”
Indonesia has increased joint patrols by Bakamla and the Navy, improved surveillance technologies, and strengthened interagency coordination. Ships, aircraft and drones are deployed regularly to monitor and address threats, Abdi said, ensuring a swift, layered response and a strong presence in the EEZ.
Beijing claims almost all the resource-rich South China Sea despite an international tribunal’s 2016 ruling that the territorial assertion has no legal basis.
Indonesia “has consistently rejected” the PRC’s claims, Eddy Pratomo, an international law professor and former Indonesian diplomat, told FORUM. “This stance aligns with UNCLOS and affirms that the North Natuna Sea is part of Indonesia’s EEZ. However, maintaining this position requires both legal assertiveness and operational readiness.”
An archipelagic nation of more than 13,000 islands, Indonesia is bolstering its maritime infrastructure and resources to ensure coverage across its vast maritime zone. “This is an area where increased investment is crucial,” Abdi said.
While enhancing its maritime defenses, Indonesia also is managing its diplomatic ties with the PRC, a significant economic partner. Recent bilateral dialogues, including a November 2024 joint statement on maritime cooperation, emphasize the importance of maintaining peace while protecting national interests.
Indonesia’s nuanced strategy includes leveraging partnerships with other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and fostering regional solidarity.
“Coordinated patrols and information sharing among ASEAN countries are essential,” Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations lecturer at Padjadjaran University, told FORUM. “If Indonesia takes the lead in securing its EEZ, it sets a precedent for other ASEAN nations to follow.”
Indonesia’s proactive stance in the North Natuna Sea contributes to the broader Indo-Pacific security architecture, analysts say. By asserting its sovereignty, Jakarta reinforces the rules-based maritime order vital to regional stability.
“Indonesia’s actions send a clear signal about respecting international law,” maritime expert Marcellus Hakeng Jayawibawa told FORUM. “This demonstrates that nations have both the right and responsibility to defend their EEZs against unwarranted intrusions, a principle that resonates across the Indo-Pacific.”
