Natuna Island, Indonesia
Updated August 19, 2024
Pulau Natuna Besar, Natuna Island, Indonesia
Off the coast of Indonesia, this 50 mile x 40 mile island with surrounding islands is a significant land mass in the Southern South China Sea. It is located 136 miles north by northeast of Kalimantan (flying over Monggok and Sarasan islands), 325 miles east of Singapore and 293 miles east of Malaysia. It is west of Vietnam and outside of the South China Sea. There are dozens of islands south and west of this location. The only visibly inhabited island is Laut Island, which is to the north.
The island community stretches is 50.53 miles from north to south, and 32.75 miles from west to east, making this a significant land mass south of the South China Sea. This island has beautiful features like the Natuna Great Mosque and appears to be a developed island with expensive residential property along the coastline. Location: 4°02'50"N 108°18'26"E and satellite imagery as we zoom in from 10/28/2023.
Pulau Natuna Besar, Natuna Island, Indonesia
Off the coast of Indonesia, this 50 mile x 40 mile island with surrounding islands is a significant land mass in the Southern South China Sea. It is located 136 miles north by northeast of Kalimantan (flying over Monggok and Sarasan islands), 325 miles east of Singapore and 293 miles east of Malaysia. It is west of Vietnam and outside of the South China Sea. There are dozens of islands south and west of this location. The only visibly inhabited island is Laut Island, which is to the north.
The island community stretches is 50.53 miles from north to south, and 32.75 miles from west to east, making this a significant land mass south of the South China Sea. This island has beautiful features like the Natuna Great Mosque and appears to be a developed island with expensive residential property along the coastline. Location: 4°02'50"N 108°18'26"E and satellite imagery as we zoom in from 10/28/2023.
We do see an airport and Indonesian military air-force installation at Raden Sadjad Airport and Air Force Airport Natuna-Ranai. This is east of the island, and is near a hospital. The main runway measures 1.65 miles in length, and is co-located with a helipad, two newer looking (4/25/2022 satellite imagery) large hangars, and two older looking, smaller hangars. We see a second, shorter runway with seven miscellaneous aircraft hangars, and a Google notation for Masjid Baitul Amal Hidayah Skadron 52, which we take to be a squadron located at this airbase. The airport is adjacent to a port facility and marina.
Just NW of the airport is the major population center of the island, which extends north to the Natuna Great Mosque.
Just NW of the airport is the major population center of the island, which extends north to the Natuna Great Mosque.
We document this island later in our research upon reading an article where the Indonesian government was quoted as asking the local farming and fishing community to 'beef up the defenses' of the island. It looks like the island is only lightly fortified, and is more designed as a beautiful vacation and island paradise.
According to Wikipedia, in 2014 and 2015 Indonesia established and reinforced permanent bases for the Indonesian National Armed Forces. In 2019, in response to Chinese incursions into the area (military and fishing vessels), Indonesia greatly increased its army and naval presence, along with supporting aircraft.
The military harbour was headquartered on Teuku Umar for Navy ships tasked on the Natuna Sea. (per Wikipedia)
South of this island are a great many Indonesian islands, stretching from west to east, and moving south down to Jakarta. This provides a primary line of naval defense for Malaysia and Indonesia. This is a strategic island.
According to Wikipedia, in 2014 and 2015 Indonesia established and reinforced permanent bases for the Indonesian National Armed Forces. In 2019, in response to Chinese incursions into the area (military and fishing vessels), Indonesia greatly increased its army and naval presence, along with supporting aircraft.
The military harbour was headquartered on Teuku Umar for Navy ships tasked on the Natuna Sea. (per Wikipedia)
South of this island are a great many Indonesian islands, stretching from west to east, and moving south down to Jakarta. This provides a primary line of naval defense for Malaysia and Indonesia. This is a strategic island.
According to Wikipedia, the Natuna Regency is a set of 154 islands, of which 27 are inhabited, with approximately 69,000 residents as of 2010 of largely Malaysian descent. It appears this island grouping has been established since 1597, and was first discovered in 671 A.D. It is slightly inside the PRC claims in the South China Sea.
The residents of the island are 97% Islamic.
Of final note, this island sits atop a large natural gas reserve (1.3 billion cubic meters) that is currently exported to countries such as Singapore.
This island is a gem in the South China Sea.
The residents of the island are 97% Islamic.
Of final note, this island sits atop a large natural gas reserve (1.3 billion cubic meters) that is currently exported to countries such as Singapore.
This island is a gem in the South China Sea.