An Indonesian Shipyard, PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati, launched two PC-40 class patrol boat for the Indonesian Navy in Riau Islands on 24th August. The indigenously built boats will be named as Karotang-872 and Mata Bongsang-873.
The launch ceremony for the two patrol warships was held at the shipyard. Indonesian Navy chief of staff Adm. Yudo Margono said the two patrol boats are aimed at increasing the navy’s patrol strength and improving safety in Indonesian waters.
“As a maritime nation and the world’s largest archipelagic country, Indonesia should improve its ability to secure its vast territorial water,” Yudo said in a written statement. He expressed hopes that the warships could ensure the safety of vessels passing Indonesian waters.
Karotang and Mata Bongsang will be the 12th and 13th PC-40-class vessels to be operated by the TNI-AL once they are in service. Besides these two ships, PT Karimum Anugrah Sejati also built the class’s fourth and fifth hulls, which were commissioned in 2017 and are now in service as KRI Torani (860) and KRI Lepu (861) respectively.
The Type PC-40 M warship is 45.5 meters long, 7.9 meters wide and weighs 220 tons. The vessel can reach a top speed of 24 knots with a cruising speed of 17 knots and an economic speed of 15 knots. Karotang-872 and Mata Bongsang-873 will be manned by 35 personnel each and are equipped with radar systems and 30 mm guns.
The class derives its design from the missile-capable KCR-40M fast attack craft that is in service with the TNI-AL, albeit being more lightly armed. The platform has an overall length of 46.5 m, an overall beam of 7.9 m, and a hull draught of 1.7 m. It can accommodate a crew of 35 and can carry one rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) at the stern.
