SHAH ALAM: The Trilateral Air Patrol (TAP) involving Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines has officially taken off.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was joined by his Indonesia and Philippines counterparts, Ryamizard Ryacudu and Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana, for the launch at the Subang airbase Thursday.

"The TAP, which serves as the second component of the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA), will be conducted jointly with aircrew from all three countries on board the aircraft (on patrol).

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (C), Indonesia's Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu (L) and Philippines's Secretary of National Defence Delfin Lorenzana launch the Trilateral Air Patrol at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang. - Reuters

"The joint TAP will adopt a continuous monthly rotation," said Hishamuddin, adding that Malaysia will take the first lead.

The air patrol will support the ongoing joint maritime patrols – also involving the three countries launched earlier this year in Indonesia – in the Sulu Sea.

Hishammuddin said more initiatives were on the way, with more counter narratives and intelligence sharing between the three nations.

"We will not stop here. No country is safe from the clutches of the Islamic State. But we have sent a signal today that if you touch any of us, we will face you head on together," said Hishamuddin.