The Chinese government decided last week to give Indonesia a remote sensing satellite to help monitor the seas surrounding its islands.
The Antara News Agency in Jakarta reports that the satellite 'will be used for monitoring happenings and developments in the sea'. The agency quoted Tri Yuswoyo, the head of Badan Koordinasi Keamanan Laut (Bakorkamla) - Indonesia's national sea security co-ordination agency - as saying that the archipelago nation had a vast maritime area, but its capability to monitor it was still limited. Yuswoyo said that many government agencies are conducting activities at sea such as the customs and excise office, the maritime and fisheries ministry, and the navy.
He said the satellite would be owned and operated by Bakorkamla, but data from the satellite could be used by other national agencies.
Neither Chinese or Indonesian officials would reveal details of the satellites capabilities. However, ship reporting systems would be expected to have sub-five metre resolution in the optical. Given the region's notorious cloud cover, there would be advantages in a small synthetic aperture radar.
Source: www.asmmag.com
