Indonesia to beef up security in disputed area

JAKARTA: Indonesia will sharply strengthen security around its South China Sea islands where there have been clashes with Chinese vessels, the defence minister said, a day after Beijing’s claims in the waters were declared invalid.

In an interview, Ryamizard Ryacudu said bolstering defences around Indonesia’s Natuna Islands would involve deploying warships, an F-16 fighter jet, surface-to-air missiles, a radar and drones, as well as constructing new ports and improving an airstrip.