Dutch Admiral Karel Doorman's naval forces were scattered around Indonesia, but the invasion of Bali could not be ignored — it would give the Japanese an airbase within range of the ABDA naval base at Surabaya — so he sent in all available ships.
Kekuatan Angkatan Laut Laksamana Doorman tersebar di seluruh Hindia Belanda, namun serangan Bali tak dapat diabaikan — yang akan memberikan Jepang pangkalan udara dalam kisaran markas AL ABDA di Surabaya — sehingga ia mengirimkan semua kapal perang yang tersedia.