Indonesia, Singapore conduct search and rescue exercise in Natuna

Natuna, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Singapore conducted a joint search and rescue (SAR) exercise for aviation accidents in the border area of Natuna District, Riau Islands.

Young Expert Policy Analyst for the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Andriansyah, stated on Thursday that the exercise aimed to improve the understanding and knowledge of Basarnas personnel and local stakeholders in conducting search and rescue missions for aviation accidents.

"From our side, this joint exercise involved the participation from Basarnas, Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), and other supporting elements such as AirNav Indonesia, the Meteorological, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the Indonesian Coast Guard (Bakamla), Transportation Ministry, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, and local governments," he elaborated.

Andriansyah remarked that the exercise was named Indonesia-Singapore Search and Rescue Exercise 2024 (Sarex Indopura XXXIX/24) and took place virtually on November 28-29.

He noted that the exercise is a simulation for facing a disaster or flight accident in the Natuna region, as Indonesia has officially taken over the air space services (Flight Information Region/FIR) in the Natuna region, which was earlier under the authority of Singapore.

"The FIR, which was previously managed by Singapore, has shifted to Indonesia's authority. It is now under our responsibility," he highlighted.

He emphasized that the realization of flight safety requires collaboration from various parties. Hence, with this exercise, stakeholders are expected to improve their knowledge and abilities related to their respective tasks and functions.

"The transfer of FIR to Indonesia is our shared responsibility. In addition to maintaining the sovereignty of our country, it also maintains flight safety," he remarked.

The FIR realignment took place on March 21, 2024. Indonesia and Singapore have been negotiating the FIR realignment since 1995. Before the realignment, airplanes flying from Jakarta to Natuna and from Hong Kong to Jakarta required coordination with Singaporean authorities upon entering the airspace above the Riau Islands.