Telly Nathalia, Jakarta – Two Indonesian Navy warships, KRI Usman Harun and KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, were part of a mini defense exhibition in Dili, the capital of East Timor, on Thursday.
The exhibition was attended by officials from East Timor's Defense Ministry and soldiers from its military.
It showcased Indonesia's maritime defense system, including the MM 40 B2 anti-ship missile, the vertical launch Sea Wolf missile and a full range of decoys.
The warships, led by Navy Col. Himawan, arrived at Dili Port on Wednesday. The next day, the entourage made a courtesy call to the office of the East Timor Defense Minister Filomeno da Paixao de Jesus, led by Rear Admiral Harjo Susmoro, the head of the Indonesian Navy's Hydro Oceanography Center.
The mission was part of a series of diplomatic efforts made by the Indonesian Military (TNI) to build trust and maintain good relations between Indonesia and East Timor.
The two countries will consider plans for joint military exercises and patrols in the near future, according to a statement from the Indonesian Navy.
East Timor was part of Indonesia from 1975 until its official separation as an independent state in May 2000.
During their brief stop, the Indonesian Navy also made a pilgrimage to the graves of fallen Indonesian soldiers at the Seroja Heroes Cemetery in Dili, led by the Indonesian Ambassador to East Timor, Sahat Sitorus.