Indonesian Navy Expects to Have 20 Missile Boats by 2024

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Navy expects to have 20 fast missile boats of 60 meters (KCR 60 metres) by 2024 to strengthen the national armaments system in accordance with the minimum essential force (MEF) target.

The Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Ade Supandi, stated on Tuesday that in order to achieve the target he has encouraged PT PAL (Penataran Angkatan Laut) Indonesia to increase its human resources to support the target.

PT PAL is an Indonesian state-owned enterprise that manufactures ships for military and civilian use and conducts repairs and maintenance on ships and its engineering.

Supandi asserted that the 60 M fast missile boats are needed as they have a combat strength that is in accordance with the Indonesian territory. The boats are able to quickly hit the enemy's defense and move freely.

In order to meet the target, it is expected that at least three fast missile boats would be manufactured every year, but the target depends on the government policy.

"KCR 60 M is a sea power, which is centered in three fleets, namely the west, the middle, and the east. It has the smallest concentrated power and is used for archipelagic warfare, with a strategy of attacking, firing, and hiding," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Director of PT PAL Indonesia, Budiman Saleh, remarked that the company is ready to meet the Navy`s target under cooperation and continue to develop the latest military technology weaponry according to the needs of the Navy.

"PT PAL Indonesia is ready, and the development of warships depends on user satisfaction. We are very grateful to the Indonesian Navy which continues to provide input regarding our production vessels," he revealed.

Budiman added that PT PAL Indonesia is exploring market potentials in ASEAN countries, such as Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, to market the boats.

"The development of market potential for warship products should be supported by the satisfaction of users, with the Indonesian Navy being one of them. Therefore, we are grateful to the Indonesian Navy for its trust in PT PAL Indonesia products, so that other countries would also be interested to order," he pointed out.

Currently, the Navy has four units of KCR 60 metres.

This ship has a length of 60 meters, a width of 8.1 meters, and a cruising distance of 2,400 nautical miles.

With a maximum speed of 28 knots, the ship is capable of carrying 55 crew members, with a full load weight of 500 tons.

ANTARA