Are
ASEAN militaries ready to cooperate?
Frega Ferdinand Wenas
Inkiriwang ; The writer heads the
international cooperation sub section and lectures in art and science of war
at the School of defense management, the Indonesian Defense University, Bogor
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JAKARTA
POST, 07 Juli 2014
Having
been established for nearly 50 years, ASEAN’s 10 member countries have
demonstrated their willingness to leverage their cooperation in a more
concrete way through the concept of the ASEAN Community (AC).
This
vision is primarily designed to facilitate economic interactions among the
member countries and also political, security and socio-cultural
interactions. These are the foundation for the establishment of the AC in
2015.
The
AC will also include the development of the defense sector.
Though
ASEAN countries have vowed commitment to more active in cooperation among one
another, this area still needs more improvement. Several tensions between
member countries have occurred throughout history. A few years back, a
conflict over the Ambalat block challenged the relationship between Indonesia
and Malaysia.
Additionally,
a dispute over territory between Thailand and Cambodia also dominated the
dialogue between ASEAN countries several years ago. Today, the South China
Sea conflict, which involves six claimants including numerous ASEAN member
countries, is the focus.
By
2015, the AC is expected to leverage its partnership between member
countries. This is possible as long as all member countries can manage their
commitment to implement the concept. Moreover, they also have to build common
interest and goals. Defense and military cooperation may focus more on
Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) since the organization has ruled
that military intervention is not recommended between member countries.
MOOTW
is feasible as the region is vulnerable to natural disasters, apart from
piracy, terrorism, illegal smuggling and several other non-traditional
issues. Thus, after the establishment of the AC in 2015, there is a big hope
to see more interaction through joint MOOTW, either for actual operations or
military exercises.
However,
to date, there are no common standard operating procedures (SOPs) that can
facilitate the collective initiative. Every ASEAN member country has its own
military platform. Some resemble American systems and doctrines while others
follow the Commonwealth ones.
This
distinction needs to be standardized and customized among militaries within
ASEAN countries to leverage their interaction, both in operations and
exercises. Communication will be easily performed since every platform used
will be interconnected. Similarly, customized doctrines and tactics may also
help all militaries operate together without difficulty.
Additionally,
there should be more active engagement between ASEAN militaries, not only at
the highest level, but also at the junior officer level. Building a common
interest and identity will be a good unifying factor in fostering regional
collective leadership.
Brotherhood
among leaders is expected to contribute to upgrading trust and confidence. By
taking part in a joint program such as joint training, ASEAN military leaders
may develop their very own sense of regional identity.
Nevertheless,
the establishment of the AC may also impose some constraints for the defense
sector given the plurality of regional military elements and economic
disparity among members.
Thus,
there should be a simultaneous commitment to anticipate this gap, for
instance regarding the need to upgrade military resources.
Having
assessed the potential strengths and weaknesses, in particular in the defense
sector, all ASEAN countries have to initiate adjustments to their respective
military systems and platforms.
This
does not mean eliminating their indigenous capability, but this will require
a more integrated and interconnected system as well as platforms that may
assist the organization in tackling regional defense and security problems in
the forthcoming years.
Several
critical issues like non-traditional threats and also flash points like the
South China Sea and Malacca Strait, may expect more attention from all ASEAN
countries.
Military
interoperability between member countries is mandatory, which may demand an
integrated education and training system, and which to some extent would
build brotherhood between leaders and collective identity among member
countries. ●
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