Indonesia's Navy targets 2027 return to service for Skouw Sae radar
Repairs to the radar at Papua's Skouw Sae Naval Post are underway, with a return to operation expected in 2027, according to regional naval commander Maj. Gen. Sugianto. The work is intended to strengthen security in waters along the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border.
Fuel storage to support warship deployment
Speaking to ANTARA in Jayapura on Thursday, October 29, Sugianto also reported construction of a diesel storage tank in Jayapura's Perasko area. He said the completed facility would support maritime security operations along the border.
Sugianto said Naval Regional Command X, also known as Kodaeral X, does not currently have enough assets because its warships are still in Sorong. Their relocation to Jayapura depends on the fuel storage tank becoming operational.
The command is responsible for Papua Province and part of Central Papua Province. Its subordinate facilities include the Sarmi, Biak and Nabire naval bases and the Skouw Sae post.
The Skouw Sae radar, located in Muara Tami district, had been operating by January 2024. Following the January 10, 2024, riots in Port Moresby, Naval Base (Lantamal) X Jayapura increased surveillance of the border waters under its then-commander, Brig. Gen. (Marine) Ludi Prastyono. Three patrol boats were deployed: KAL Python, KAL Kalahay and KAL Lakahia.
Patrol boat limits exposed in August pursuit
Sugianto identified smuggling, including marijuana trafficking, as a threat in the border waters. An August 2026 interception near Skouw Sae illustrated the command's equipment limitations.
Kodaeral X personnel stopped an attempt to move 14 kilograms of marijuana from Papua New Guinea through the Skouw Sae sea area toward Jayapura city. Seven PNG nationals threw sacks containing the drug into the sea and escaped back into PNG waters in a motorboat powered by a 40-horsepower engine. Naval personnel recovered the marijuana but could not catch the smugglers with their 15-horsepower patrol boat.
The command subsequently sent a Rigid Buoyancy Boat with twin 300-horsepower engines to Skouw Sae. Before that deployment, the post had only one motorboat with a 15-horsepower engine.
On October 14, 2026, Sugianto said the command still needed more patrol vessels, particularly small boats with powerful engines capable of maneuvering in shallow border waters. He said the additional vessels were needed to strengthen operations against smuggling, chiefly of marijuana.
Drug, fuel and marine-product seizures
Jayapura City Police reported seizing 26.7 kilograms of marijuana and arresting 46 suspects from January through September 2026. Six of those arrested were PNG nationals. According to police, marijuana reaches the Jayapura area from PNG by sea and overland, including along border footpaths.
Earlier naval seizures also involved fuel and marine products. On June 12, 2025, the Quick Response team of Lantamal X Jayapura's patrol vessel unit intercepted a fast boat carrying 825 liters of illegal Pertalite fuel from Jayapura waters toward the PNG border for sale there. Five suspects were arrested, including two PNG nationals.
The previous day, June 11, the same command seized 35 kilograms of shark fins, 1.5 kilograms of fish maw, 2.5 kilograms of sea cucumber and 800 liters of illegal Pertalite.
Sugianto said the command continues to patrol the border and asks coastal residents to report suspected trafficking in illegal goods. He described community cooperation as essential to detecting and preventing smuggling along the Indonesia-PNG border.