US offers tech assist for Strait of Malacca security

Reported here:

The United States would soon provide Indonesia with an early warning system to support security maintenance in the Malacca Strait by three littoral neighboring countries Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapure, Indonesian military chief said.

"The U.S. agreed to provide technical assistance needed by the three littoral countries in securing the Malacca Strait. Indonesia at the present time needs an early warning system," Antara news agency Saturday quoted Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Air Marshal Djoko Suyanto as saying.

The early warning system will be installed at several points along Indonesia`s territory on the waterway, as well as on maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), Suyanto said on a flight from Batam to Jakarta on Friday night.

In addition, the U.S. also promised to exchange intelligence information with the three littoral countries on various matters relating to the situation and condition of the Malacca Strait, known as the world`s busiest waterway.