南西方面艦隊
In January 1943, "Aotaka" escorted the damaged from Ambon to Makassar for repairs, and unsuccessfully attacked the submarine with depth charges on January 23. "Aotaka" continued with escort and patrol operations between Makassar, Singapore and Surabaya until reassigned to the Southwest Area Fleet on July 30, when her zone of operations was shifted to Halmahera Island, the Moluccas and Makassar to mid-1944. On May 16, she suffered minor damage after striking a magnetic mine at Halmahera.