![An Indonesian Airforce's F-16 Jet Fighter flies over Indonesian navy warship during an operation in Natuna islands, in the South China Sea in January 2020 [File: M Risyal Hidayat/Antara via Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-16T141641Z_1379227303_RC22RP92SGTS_RTRMADP_3_SOUTHCHINASEA-INDONESIA.jpg?resize=770%2C513)
An Indonesian Airforce’s F-16 Jet Fighter flies over Indonesian navy warship during an operation in Natuna islands, in the South China Sea in January 2020 [File: M Risyal Hidayat/Antara via Reuters]
Indonesia’s navy has increased patrols around its Natuna islands in the South China Sea after Chinese and US vessels were detected nearby in international waters, despite saying there the vessels had not caused any disturbance, a navy official said.
Five navy vessels, assisted by an air patrol, have been deployed in North Natuna Sea to secure the area, Indonesian Navy western fleet commander Arsyad Abdullah told reporters on Thursday.
Indonesia adds patrols after detecting ships in South China Sea | Border Disputes News | Al Jazeera
