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.
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.
Business & Investment Opportunities
Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated
in Singapore since 1994.
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