REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Ade Supandi said the International Fleet Review (IFR) held along with the 15th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) and the 2nd Multilateral Naval Exercise known as Komodo 2016 reflect peace at regional level.

"The activities reflect our wish and commitment to enhance the existing cooperation to support and realize peace and maintain stability in the region," he said in his opening address to the multilateral naval exercise at the Padang Naval Base II in West Sumatra on Tuesday.

The event which featured a variety of activities involving naval soldiers and local residents with the aim of strengthening mutual understanding and familial relationship are also the implementation of the navy's diplomatic role, he said.

IFR is a naval activity which comes in the form of a parade of warships and airplanes of different types. The activity is aimed to showcase the strength and capability of naval forces in performing their duties.

Komodo 2016 is a series of activities as a manifestation of the Navy's defense diplomacy during a tranquil period. The event is directed towards creating tolerance and transparency among navies in the region. The activity which is centered in Padang municipality and Mentawai district will last from April 12 to 16.

Supandi said 20 warships from 15 countries are taking part in the event. The countries include Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the United States, Japan, France, Russia, China, Sri Lanka, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Brunei.

"The Indonesian Navy itself has sent 29 warships, two CN 212 planes, a CN-295 plane, two helicopters Helly Bell 412," he said.

The IFR is also combined with interaction among warships from the various countries, including rowing contest, coastal soccer, and culinary festival.

The Komodo 2016 involved naval forces from 32 countries. During the exercise, navies of different countries will historically cooperate in carrying out activities through scenarios including Medical Civic Action Project (Medcap), Engineering Civic Action Project (Encap), and Maritime Peace Keeping Operation (MPKO).

The 15th WPSN itself is one of the important forums to create maritime partnership among countries in different regions. The international scale symposium themed "Maritime Partnership For Stability In The Western Pacific Region" is held to improve and maintain security in the West Pacific.

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