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Two patrol vessels launched to monitor exclusive economic zones
The Marine Security Coordinating Agency (Bakorkamla) has launched two patrol vessels that will monitor maritime safety in exclusive economic zones across the country
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T
he Marine Security Coordinating Agency (Bakorkamla) has launched two patrol vessels that will monitor maritime safety in exclusive economic zones across the country. The 48-meter-long vessels ' the KN Bintang Laut 4801 and KN Singa Laut 4802 ' are equipped with weapons systems.
Bakorkamla executive director Rear Adm. Bambang Suwarto told The Jakarta Post that the two vessels, which are worth Rp 58 billion (US$5.9 million), were fully funded by the state budget. He said eight catamaran patrol vessels and 10 rift patrol ships operated by the agency had been donated by various countries, but primarily from Australia.
'These two vessels are the first that Bakorkamla has developed using state budget funds,' said Bambang.
He made his comments during the launch of the vessels at the PT Palindo Marine Port in Tanjung Ucang, Batam, Riau Islands, on Saturday.
West Armada Command chief Rear Adm Arif Rudiyanto and officials from the Administrative Reforms Ministry and the Defense Ministry also attended the ceremony.
Bakorkamla is aiming to develop a total of six 48-meter vessels, designed as an effective platform for patrolling Indonesia's exclusive economic zones, by 2014.
It is said that the vessels are fully equipped with 20 millimeter guns, having been designed for security operations.
'They are also supported by long-shot cameras with a range of up to 20 kilometers and the use of satellite technology so that their activities can be monitored from Bakorkamla headquarters in Jakarta,' Bambang said.
The KN Bintang Laut was built by Palindo Marine while the KN Singa Laut was developed by dockyard company PT Citra Shipyard. The four other patrol vessels will also be built by local companies. (ebf)
