By: Arifin )*
“PKR was ordered by RI Ministry of Defense, and this ship is advanced ship Frigate class that built by PT PAL and cooperation with ship company DSNS Dutch through transfer of technology,” said President Director of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) M Firmansyah.
“Missile Destroyer Escort” PKR ship is an advanced warship kind of “frigate”. PKR ship has a length of 105.11 meters with a width of 14.2 meters. This ship can sail at a speed of 28 knots, and even up to 5,000 nm at 14 knots with endurance sail up to 20 days, quoted from voaindonesia.com.
In addition, PKR Frigate Ships has a complete underwater warfare equipment, such as the main weapon in the form of a submarine torpedo destroyers that can help the process of underwater warfare, and can to perform aerial battle with anti- air missiles.
While the SSV ship is independent creation of PT. PAL Indonesia which is development of technology freighter type “Landing Platform Dock” LPD who designed with a length of 123 meters and a width of 21.8 meters. SSV vessel has a maximum speed until 16 knots and cruising endurance of 30 days. In addition, the SSV is also capable of carrying two helicopters, and a transport vessel “landing craft utility” (LCU) and a number of tank warfare to military trucks.
“SSV vessel is first warship who exported by Indonesia country and get a recognition from other countries towards the sophistication of this ship,” said M Firmansyah.
Nowadays, buyer country warship who want this warship is Philippines Defense Ministry who has ordered a warship types SSV – 1.
As reported by tribunnews.com, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Resources Rizal Ramli said this export like a momentum for the shipbuilding industry of Indonesia, especially the PT. PAL, to prove his ability at the same time widening its wings internationally. Indonesia has the advantage, especially in terms of labor costs and raw material production of steel. These advantages make the warships made in Indonesia more competitive.
*) The Author is Jakarta Regional Contributor