The military chiefs of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to hold joint military drills in the North Natuna Sea, Riau Islands, said Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Admiral Yudo Margono.
Jakarta (VNA) - The military chiefs of member countries of the Associationof Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to hold joint military drills inthe North Natuna Sea, Riau Islands, said Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Admiral Yudo Margono.
This will be the first-ever joint military drillswithin the ASEAN member states, he added.
"In the near future, we will hold jointmilitary drills in the North Natuna Sea, to be called the ASEAN SolidityExercise (ENatuna) or Asec01N," Margono was quoted by Antara news agency afterthe ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Meeting (ACDFM) in Nusa Dua, Bali.
According to Margono, it has been agreed by 11military chiefs of the ASEAN nations and Timor Leste to schedule joint militaryexercises which is slated for September this year.
The drills will focus on maritime security andrescue (SAR), as well as social services in the Natuna region. The exerciseswill gather the ASEAN armed forces in the army, navy and air force.
According to Margono, the drill reflects the ASEAN centralityand will not involve combat operations training.
The 20th ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Meeting inBali was attended by all military chiefs of the ASEAN countries, except for Myanmar./.
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Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) 
