In the ever-shifting sands of maritime security, Indonesia is taking a hard look at what makes a naval base tick. Atiq Alfiansyah, a researcher from the Indonesia Naval Technology College in Surabaya, has just dropped a study in the Journal of Defense Resources Management that’s got the maritime world buzzing. The study, titled “Identification of Key Factors in the Development of Naval Bases in Maintaining Maritime Security in Indonesia,” is a deep dive into what it takes to keep Indonesia’s waters safe and sound.
Alfiansyah and his team of 15 maritime defense experts didn’t just pull these factors out of thin air. They used the Delphi method, a fancy way of saying they asked the experts, refined their answers, and asked again until they got to the heart of the matter. And what did they find? A whopping 39 factors that make a naval base tick, from the nitty-gritty of infrastructure to the big picture of political and economic aspects.
So, what’s the big deal for the maritime industry? Well, for starters, understanding these factors can help in the development planning of naval bases, making them more effective and efficient. This could mean better maritime surveillance, improved operational readiness, and a stronger response to threats, both from state and non-state actors. And let’s not forget the commercial impacts. A well-developed naval base can mean more jobs, more investment, and more opportunities for the maritime sector.
But it’s not just about the here and now. Alfiansyah’s study is all about future-proofing Indonesia’s maritime security. As he puts it, “The base must be able to function effectively in maritime surveillance, improve operational readiness, and strengthen its ability to respond to various threats.” And with the strategic environment in the ALKI II region (that’s the Indonesian Archipelago and its surrounding waters) evolving at a rapid pace, this kind of forward-thinking is more important than ever.
So, what’s next? Alfiansyah hopes his study will be the basis for a strategy to strengthen naval bases that are “more adaptive, modern, and able to respond to future maritime security challenges effectively and sustainably.” And with the maritime industry’s eyes firmly fixed on Indonesia, it’s a strategy that could have ripples far beyond its shores.