February 28, 2017

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U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 

Freedom of Navigation (FON) Report 

for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016

Below is a summary of excessive maritime claims that were challenged by DoD 

operational assertions and activities during the period of October 1, 2015 through

September 30, 2016, in order to preserve the rights, freedoms, and uses of the sea

and airspace guaranteed to all nations under international law:

Claimant Excessive Maritime Claims

Albania* Prior authorization required for foreign warships to enter the 

territorial sea (TTS); excessive straight baselines.

Brazil Consent required for military exercises or maneuvers in the 

exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Cambodia Excessive straight baselines.

China* Excessive straight baselines; jurisdiction over airspace above the 

EEZ; restriction on foreign aircraft flying through an Air Defense 

Identification Zone (ADIZ) without the intent to enter national 

airspace; domestic law criminalizing survey activity by foreign 

entities in the EEZ; prior permission required for innocent passage 

of foreign military ships through the TTS.

Croatia Prior notification required for foreign warships to exercise innocent 

passage in the TTS.

India* Prior consent required for military exercises or maneuvers in the

EEZ; security jurisdiction claimed in the contiguous zone.

Indonesia* Limits on archipelagic sea lane passage through normal routes 

used for international navigation; prior notification

required for foreign warships to enter the TTS and archipelagic

waters; restriction on stopping, dropping anchor, or cruising 

without legitimate reason in seas adjoining TTS.

Iran* Restrictions on right of transit passage through Strait of Hormuz to

Parties of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; 

prohibition on foreign military activities and practices in the EEZ.

Italy Claimed historic bay status for the Gulf of Taranto.

Japan Excessive straight baselines.

Malaysia* Prior authorization required for nuclear-powered ships to enter 

the TTS; military exercises or maneuvers in the EEZ requires 

prior consent.

Maldives* Prior authorization required for foreign ships to enter the EEZ.
U.S. Department of Defense

Freedom of Navigation Report

For Fiscal Year 2016

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Malta Passage by foreign warships through the TTS subject to prior 

consent or prior notification.

Oman* Prior permission required for innocent passage of foreign military 

ships through the TTS; requirement for innocent passage through 

the Strait of Hormuz (an international strait).

Pakistan* Prior consent required for foreign warships to conduct military

exercises or maneuvers in the EEZ.

Philippines* Claims archipelagic waters as internal waters.

South Korea Excessive straight baselines; prior notification required for foreign

military or government vessels to enter the TTS.

Taiwan* Prior notification required for foreign military or government vessels 

to enter the TTS.

Thailand Excessive straight baselines; consent required for military exercises 

in the EEZ.

Tunisia Excessive straight baselines.

Venezuela* Prior permission for overflight of the EEZ and Flight Identification 

Region (FIR).

Vietnam* Prior notification required for foreign warships to enter the TTS.

Note: * designates multiple challenges to the claim(s) during the reporting period.