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Navy begins operating locally made gun boats
The Indonesian Navy (AL) has officially begun operating its first fast missile boat (KCR), KRI Clurit-641, manufactured by a local shipyard
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he Indonesian Navy (AL) has officially begun operating its first fast missile boat (KCR), KRI Clurit-641, manufactured by a local shipyard.
Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro officially launched the KRI KCR-40 at Batu Ampar Port, Batam, Riau Islands, on Monday. The vessel, produced by PT Palindo Marine Batam, took about a year to complete.
“This shows that the sons and daughters of Indonesia have already been able to produce its own weaponry. The KCR is the first of its kind produced in this country. The central government is serious about developing the domestic defense industry and making it a priority,” said Purnomo.
According to Purnomo, the TNI AL will equip its frigates, destroyers and submarines with weapons produced jointly with other countries. State-run shipbuilder PT PAL Surabaya and a Dutch firm will work together to equip the frigates and submarines in the near future.
TNI Commander Adm. Agus Suhartono, who was with TNI AL chief-of-staff Adm. Soeparno at the launching, said the AL would order 20 KCRs from PT Pelindo Marine Batam, currently building two units.
The KCR has a missile range of up to 80 kilometers. It is 40 meters long, 7.4 meters wide and can travel at 27 knots. The vessel is equipped with modern weaponry such as a sensor weapons control (Sewaco), six 30 mm caliber cannons as a close-in weapons system (CIWS) and two 20 mm cannons on the stern. It has a crew of 35 and can carry an additional 13-person special team.
Soeparno said his force would commission most of the KCRs to the Western Fleet, home to many islands and straits. The KCR can safeguard the defense territory and anticipate smuggling activities.
“It will also secure our western borders, where these small vessels are more efficient,” said Soeparno.
Bank Mandiri managing director Zulkifli Zaini, who also attended the launch, said the bank had disbursed Rp 400 billion US$4.64 million) to finance the project carried out by the national shipyard.
It provided a loan of Rp 70 billion to PT Palindo Marine Batam for two of the three vessels being manufactured.
