Radar at the Juanda air force base in Surabaya detected the F-18 Hornet jets manoeuvring over Bawean island off the east coast of Java island on Thursday, said air force spokesman Captain Ali Umri Lubis.

Two Indonesian F-16 fighter planes were deployed to intercept the planes but did not give chase when the US jets left the area, he told AFP.

Another spokesman, Colonel Sagom Tamboen, told ElShinta radio the naval aircraft had sought permission to enter Indonesian airspace while escorting a US aircraft carrier.

But the request arrived too late at the air force defense headquarters in Jakarta due to red tape, Tamboen said.

A US embassy spokesman said he would seek more information about the report.

WAR.WIRE