Indonesia Air Force F-16s and Royal Malaysian Air Force Hawk 108/208 have carried out joint patrols in Operation PATKOR MALINDO over the Strait of Malacca. The operation was carried out from 6 to 7 April 2021 to boost security against piracy and terrorism in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. All flights will carry a representative of each country to survey the narrow waterway, which carries more than a quarter of the world’s trade.
Indonesia, and Malaysia all border the strait. Its narrow channels, shallow reefs, and thousands of tiny islands make it vulnerable to pirate attacks. More than 50,000 vessels a year transit the narrow Malacca Strait carrying a large portion of the world’s oil. Lloyd’s, the leading insurance company for ships, has placed the strait on its list of most dangerous waterways. There are concerns that ships in the strait could be vulnerable to attack by terrorists.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force – Air Operations Command Headquarters (MPOU) acts as the joint coordinated patrol (PATKOR) in collaboration with the Indonesia Air Force. Royal Malaysian Air Force is represented by No. 15 Sqn, CRC1 Kuantan and JATCC Subang. Also involved in the operation this time is the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM). The Indonesia Air Force was represented by F16 aircraft flying from Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base, Pekan Baru and KOSEK HANUDNAS III Medan.