ABSTRACT
Emerging Indonesia’s status dissonance is probably as glaring as it is in the context of its maritime projection. The largest archipelagic state and a prominent Asian naval power of the 1960s emerged as an inward-looking, ‘sea-blind’ country and a weak maritime state at the turn of the 21st century. The modernization of the Indonesian navy has been accompanied and partly driven by changing perceptions of maritime security and the threat environment. The primary thrust of the maritime security has expanded from protecting the Javanese core and major islands to include the maritime borders, small islands and unprotected peripheral maritime regions. As the South China Sea dispute escalates and emerging Indonesia’s ‘maritime power’ narrative gains salience, Jakarta may encounter increasing domestic objection to its less popular, albeit nuanced, position of neutrality and non-claimant status. Indonesia’s assertive approach is reflected in its increasing emphasis on two key aspects of maritime strategy – deterrence and sea denial against identified and unidentified threats.
