But I think we can at least expect them to send a ship to closely (in eyesight at all times) with all their sensors and listening equipment aimed at those ships just to piss them off
Well it can be two ways. The Chinese perhaps also send their survey vessels milling around in our EEZ, just to piss us and make a point. The fact is, we still don't know what Chinese survey vessels aim for.
All potential still there, survey fishery stocks, potential geological reserve, or mapping the sea floor for potential submarine routes (this also the suspicion on those vessels transferring on three ALKI). However as long as they're not doing any exploitation activities, there's nothing Indonesian can do. They're not breaking International Law.
The recent entry of Chinese vessels into Indonesia’s EEZ highlights the need for Jakarta to get serious about protecting its sovereignty.
thediplomat.com
This's quite interesting deduction on how Indonesia should act on the situation. Which's already I have point out on my previous post on this matter, and also you have point out. Increase the tempo of Naval presence by all maritime agencies (TNI-AL, Bakamla, or Fisheries Protection).
This's what my point is. Are the frequency can't be increase due to operational budget or Political consideration ? For me, I sense combination of both.
The problem in Natuna has push back Pro China lobby, however the COVID situation also gave them some credit. Has to be acknowled that the availability of Chinese vaccine (despite claims efficacy that's lower than Western ones), crucial to lower the COVID cases in Indonesia after the peak in Mei-July this year.
Like it or not CCP COVID vaccine diplomacy work, especially in developing nations that don't have enough access toward Western vaccines. Their vaccine is
working to help significantly reduce level of hospitalisation and mortality rate. Despite lower effacacies with Western ones.
This make some nations that have dispute with China take back and rethink, perhaps they still can reasons with China. This help causes by Pro China lobby that mostly work from trade and investment angle against those who wants to take tougher action against China on security issue.
Indonesia so far still try to find balance on both issue. That's why I sense the level of naval engagement being hold to keep that balance asside on operational budget issue.
Personally just in my previous post, I also think that reasoning with China also need to back up by our own resolve to put enough resources to do that. That's why personally I prefer for much larger budget toward coast guard/Bakamla to increase tempo on constabulary maritime function. While TNI-AL focus more on Corvettes/OPV rather than Frigates or Coastal patrol boats. It's better having 10 Frigates but with 30-40 Corvettes/OPV then 15 Frigates and 15 Corvettes/OPV.
That's why I hope most of those KAL or any patrol boats smaller then KCR60 being relegated to Coast Guard. The government in my opinion has to dare reducing the scope of Navy while enlarging Coast Guards. This will be more able to create Navy that are more focus and have resources for modern naval engagement, and not constabulary duties.
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