What is happening in Indonesia's Natuna Sea?

Gary

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Here is a summary of what happened between China and Indonesia in the Natuna Sea over the last three months.​

Duan Dang
17 hr ago

At one point, it appeared that China was preparing for a stand-off in case of interference by the U.S carrier strike group to the operation of Haiyang Dizhi 10 in the South China Sea. The situation was tense!

After Indonesia deployed Noble Clyde Boudreaux drilling rig to conduct an appraisal drilling campaign in Tuna Block in late June, China Coast Guard vessel 5202 was observed in the vicinity of the drilling site.
The satellite image showed that CCG 5202 was about three nautical miles from Clyde Boudreaux on July 3, 2021.

Ship-tracking data showed that the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) deployed three patrol vessels KN Pulau Dana (323), KN Pulau Marore (322), and KN Tanjung Datu (301) to the site, one after another.
On July 18, CCG 5202 turned on the AIS signal, confirming its presence near the drilling rig.

This time it was shadowed by the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) warship KRI John Lie (358). Jakarta has escalated by deploying the Navy.

In mid-August, China deployed a larger vessel, CCG 5305 to replace CCG 5202. Energy Voice first reported the presence of China Coast Guard vessels on August 20.
(In fact, it was me who first reported on Twitter :) ).

On August 27, CCG 5305 was seen about two nautical miles from Clyde Boudreaux. It was closely monitored by TNI-AL’s KRI Bung Tomo (357) corvette.

On August 31, China sent survey vessel Haiyang Dizhi 10 to the area. Ship-tracking data showed that it sailed into Tuna Block and approached Clyde Boudreaux at a distance of less than ten nautical miles.

The ship, escorted by CCG 4303, then surveyed Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf.
Ship-tracking data showed that it was operating in the “overlapping” area between Indonesia’s Continental Shelf and the so-called Nine-dash line, which was rejected by the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling in 2016.
Sources told me a People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Type 054A frigate was also observed in the area.

Then came the U.S Navy!
After entering the South China Sea on September 5, U.S. Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group was spotted operating in the southwestern part of the sea on September 9. A Type 052 or 052D destroyer was spotted shadowing the carrier strike group.

Kompas then became the first major newspaper in Indonesia to report the presence of Haiyang Dizhi 10 and the situation in Natuna Sea.
On September 10, China reinforced its Coast Guard force in the southern part of the South China Sea by deploying five vessels 2305, 3304, 5302, 2305, and 6307 to the Spratly Islands.
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CCG 2305 is from Ningbo (East China Sea Subbureau), and CCG 6307 is from Qingdao (North Sea Subbureau). They were deployed to the South China Sea to reinforce the South China Sea Subbureau.
In addition, CCG 5303, 5203, 5305, 4303, 5401, 3302, and 5103 have already been in the area. CCG 3302 sailed from Scarborough Shoal back to Mischief Reef.

China’s Shandong aircraft carrier also left Sanya and sailed southward. It was spotted in the northwest of Spratly Islands on September 11.

There was a possibility that it maneuvered to avoid tropical storm Conson, but we can’t rule out that China had something else in mind.
The Coast Guard vessels did not move to avoid the Conson because if that were the case, they would sail to Guangdong or Guangxi to take shelter, not from Hainan to the Spratly Islands. They are different from the aircraft carrier, which has no alternative port in the region.
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At this point, it appeared that China was preparing for a stand-off in case of interference by the U.S carrier strike group to the operation of Haiyang Dizhi 10. The situation was tense!

It’s remarkable that on September 11 and 12, the USS Carl Vinson carrier turned on its AIS signal and broadcasted its position in the Natuna Sea. Its position was about 50 nautical miles from Haiyang Dizhi 10.

It is rare for a U.S aircraft carrier to broadcast its AIS signal at sea, except straits transit or port calls. It is intentional!
Later in the day, the official Twitter of the USS Carl Vinson carrier told us it was operating near PLAN ships, aircraft, and submarines. It was another move it rarely does.

We don’t know what happened on that day. But Indonesian fishermen reported they saw 6 Chinese vessels, including Type 052D destroyer Kunming (172), in the area on September 13.
Kunming is likely the Type 052D destroyer seen following USS Carl Vinson on September 9.

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On September 13, the Shandong aircraft carrier was seen back to the port in Sanya. Five Coast Guard vessels deployed to the Spratly Islands earlier also sailed back to Hainan. And the U.S Carrier Strike Group has since left the area.

But Haiyang Dizhi 10 is still in the Natuna Sea today along with CCG 4303. And CCG 5305 still sails near Clyde Boudreaux drilling rig.

 

Ryder

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Indonesia has beautiful biodiversity.

I fear China is going to destroy it.

Dont let them pass.
 

NEKO

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Here is a summary of what happened between China and Indonesia in the Natuna Sea over the last three months.​

Duan Dang
17 hr ago

At one point, it appeared that China was preparing for a stand-off in case of interference by the U.S carrier strike group to the operation of Haiyang Dizhi 10 in the South China Sea. The situation was tense!

After Indonesia deployed Noble Clyde Boudreaux drilling rig to conduct an appraisal drilling campaign in Tuna Block in late June, China Coast Guard vessel 5202 was observed in the vicinity of the drilling site.
The satellite image showed that CCG 5202 was about three nautical miles from Clyde Boudreaux on July 3, 2021.

Ship-tracking data showed that the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) deployed three patrol vessels KN Pulau Dana (323), KN Pulau Marore (322), and KN Tanjung Datu (301) to the site, one after another.
On July 18, CCG 5202 turned on the AIS signal, confirming its presence near the drilling rig.

This time it was shadowed by the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) warship KRI John Lie (358). Jakarta has escalated by deploying the Navy.

In mid-August, China deployed a larger vessel, CCG 5305 to replace CCG 5202. Energy Voice first reported the presence of China Coast Guard vessels on August 20.
(In fact, it was me who first reported on Twitter :) ).

On August 27, CCG 5305 was seen about two nautical miles from Clyde Boudreaux. It was closely monitored by TNI-AL’s KRI Bung Tomo (357) corvette.

On August 31, China sent survey vessel Haiyang Dizhi 10 to the area. Ship-tracking data showed that it sailed into Tuna Block and approached Clyde Boudreaux at a distance of less than ten nautical miles.

The ship, escorted by CCG 4303, then surveyed Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf.
Ship-tracking data showed that it was operating in the “overlapping” area between Indonesia’s Continental Shelf and the so-called Nine-dash line, which was rejected by the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling in 2016.
Sources told me a People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Type 054A frigate was also observed in the area.

Then came the U.S Navy!
After entering the South China Sea on September 5, U.S. Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group was spotted operating in the southwestern part of the sea on September 9. A Type 052 or 052D destroyer was spotted shadowing the carrier strike group.

Kompas then became the first major newspaper in Indonesia to report the presence of Haiyang Dizhi 10 and the situation in Natuna Sea.
On September 10, China reinforced its Coast Guard force in the southern part of the South China Sea by deploying five vessels 2305, 3304, 5302, 2305, and 6307 to the Spratly Islands.
Subscribe


CCG 2305 is from Ningbo (East China Sea Subbureau), and CCG 6307 is from Qingdao (North Sea Subbureau). They were deployed to the South China Sea to reinforce the South China Sea Subbureau.
In addition, CCG 5303, 5203, 5305, 4303, 5401, 3302, and 5103 have already been in the area. CCG 3302 sailed from Scarborough Shoal back to Mischief Reef.

China’s Shandong aircraft carrier also left Sanya and sailed southward. It was spotted in the northwest of Spratly Islands on September 11.

There was a possibility that it maneuvered to avoid tropical storm Conson, but we can’t rule out that China had something else in mind.
The Coast Guard vessels did not move to avoid the Conson because if that were the case, they would sail to Guangdong or Guangxi to take shelter, not from Hainan to the Spratly Islands. They are different from the aircraft carrier, which has no alternative port in the region.
Subscribe


At this point, it appeared that China was preparing for a stand-off in case of interference by the U.S carrier strike group to the operation of Haiyang Dizhi 10. The situation was tense!

It’s remarkable that on September 11 and 12, the USS Carl Vinson carrier turned on its AIS signal and broadcasted its position in the Natuna Sea. Its position was about 50 nautical miles from Haiyang Dizhi 10.

It is rare for a U.S aircraft carrier to broadcast its AIS signal at sea, except straits transit or port calls. It is intentional!
Later in the day, the official Twitter of the USS Carl Vinson carrier told us it was operating near PLAN ships, aircraft, and submarines. It was another move it rarely does.

We don’t know what happened on that day. But Indonesian fishermen reported they saw 6 Chinese vessels, including Type 052D destroyer Kunming (172), in the area on September 13.
Kunming is likely the Type 052D destroyer seen following USS Carl Vinson on September 9.

Share
On September 13, the Shandong aircraft carrier was seen back to the port in Sanya. Five Coast Guard vessels deployed to the Spratly Islands earlier also sailed back to Hainan. And the U.S Carrier Strike Group has since left the area.

But Haiyang Dizhi 10 is still in the Natuna Sea today along with CCG 4303. And CCG 5305 still sails near Clyde Boudreaux drilling rig.

And Jakartap*st said that everything is fine and there is no possibility of war? Not when there is an expansionist country in the neighborhood!
 

Umigami

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Update:

Jakarta's moderate responses are understandable because any escalation could potentially lead to a conflict. But the problems are how they respond diplomatically and how they provide information to the public.

The Indonesian military only focuses on fishing vessels and a Chinese warship (the Type 052D destroyer). While there are likely some Chinese maritime militia vessels, the presence of fishing vessels is not new. It is an old problem, given that Indonesia has an overlapping EEZ with Vietnam and China's claims of traditional fishing rights in the Natuna Sea. And the presence of a Type 052D destroyer is likely a one-off. China can say that it only exercises freedom of navigation.

Indonesia military ignored two more important issues: the harassment of the drilling operation in Block Tuna and the activity of Haiyang Dizhi 10 in their continental shelf. First Fleet commander Arsyad Abdullah conducted an air patrol on September 17th and said that he saw no warships in the area. What he did not say is the presence of Haiyang Dizhi 10. How about that vessel? Why didn't he fly to the survey site and tell the public that there is a Chinese survey vessel (possibly illegal) operating in Indonesia's EEZ and continental shelf?


Pathetic 😡👎
 

Madokafc

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And Jakartap*st said that everything is fine and there is no possibility of war? Not when there is an expansionist country in the neighborhood!

those Jakartashitpost are SJW breeding nest, and proven to be lean to the left cause. The same with Komp*s which every fucking year always put big writing to commemorate special relationship between Indonesia and China Mainland
 

Gundala

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Despite all the news flying around regarding the Tuna Block, in reality there aint much CCG or even their Destroyer can do. In this type of game its all about "gertak sambel". Shoot first then that nation going to shoot its own foot as well.

Regarding their militia fisherman, well in diplomatic language and perspective they already recieved the message way back then when they tried it. I dont think they going to do that again anytime soon. Regardless, our Bakamla need to be fully equipped and ready for militia confrontation simply because the world will see it as constable/civilian law enforcement conflict.

They have militia fisherman and we have Bakamla with high ranking Navy personal running the show. Lets see how that going to play out.
 

Var Dracon

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yhtd.jpg


Haiyang Dizhi 10 movement. From the pattern they looks like doing an underwater survey.
 
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