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Indonesian Navy personnel watch KRI Sampari-628 anchored at Lembar Port, West Lombok district, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday (January 28, 2022). (ANTARA/HO-Lanal Mataram) - 

The Indonesian Navy will deploy five warships to secure the 2022 MotoGP championship that will take place at the Mandalika International Street Circuit, West Nusa Tenggara, in March, a navy official has confirmed.

Commander of the Mataram Naval Base, Colonel Djawara Whimbo, said that the warships will be deployed to thwart security threats, particularly threats in the sea, during the MotoGP championship.

"The five warships will be assigned to areas close to the MotoGP venue, and days prior to the event, we will focus the security mission to the seashore close to the circuit and at passenger ports," Whimbo informed in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday.

The security patrol at the province's five ports -- three ports of Lombok Island and two of Sumbawa Island -- will involve military officers and relevant institutions, such as port authorities, the SAR team, water police, and maritime security agency, he said.

"All relevant components will be involved in the security mission," Whimbo added.

Apart from tackling sea piracy, the navy will also guard the sea to assist the evacuation of passenger ships involved in accidents if needed, the naval base commander said.

The navy is currently continuing joint security training to enhance its capability in anticipating and handling possible security issues that may occur at sea, he informed.

"We are currently involving relevant stakeholders in joint training to handle possible future issues. For instance, we will collaborate with the water police to tackle the sea piracy issue," Whimbo said.

He informed that of the five planned naval ships, KRI Sampari-628 has been anchored at Lembar Port in West Lombok district.

"The other ships are on their way, with one ship currently sailing for West Nusa Tenggara, and three other ships will be deployed close to the MotoGP championship date," the colonel added//ANT