The Indonesian Navy has launched two fast patrol boats (PC-60 M), KRI Dorang-874 and KRI Bawal-875, built by a domestic shipyard company. KRI Dorang-874 will be deployed to strengthen the patrol team of Ambon Naval Base, while KRI Bawal-875 will carry out patrol duties at Sorong Naval Base. The construction of the ships was in accordance with the determined strategic planning, which aimed to support the task of the Navy, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff (Kasal), Admiral Yudo Margono, said at the shipyard of PT Caputra Mitra Sejati, Pulo Ampel sub-district, Serang district, Banten province. The provision of the patrol vessels must also be supported by increasing the capabilities and professionalism of sailors to build a professional, modern, and tough Indonesian Navy.
The Indonesian Navy has ordered five new fast patrol boats based on the indigenous PC-60 Patrol Boat design. The PC-60 is a derivative of the KCR-60 also known Sampari-class fast missile boat design but will only be armed with naval guns. The boat is armed with a 40mm Oto Melara naval gun, and two 12.7mm FN Herstal heavy machine guns. It has a length of 60 meters, a draught of 2.72 meters and a beam of 8.5 meters. Powered by two MTU 20V400M73 diesel engines with an output of 3,200 kilowatts, the boat reaches a top speed of 24 knots and an endurance of 8 days at 17 knots cruising speed. It also has a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) that can be used for visit, boat and search operations at sea. The PC-60 has a standard crew of 55 sailors and officers.
The new fast patrol boats are expected to be assigned with the Indonesian Navy’s 1st Fleet Command protecting the Malacca strait to deter piracy and to increase the security for the ships passing through that area. The first two boats have been awarded to PT Caputra Mitra Sejati based in Banten, and are expected to be launched in August 2022. The third boat of the batch was awarded to Indonesian shipbuilder PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati based in Batam, and held its 1st Steel Cutting Ceremony on 04 March 2022. Two more are still yet to be awarded to shipbuilders. As part of a multi-year contract for five PC 60 patrol craft worth USD13.9 million signed on October 28, 2021, the third PC 60 is expected to be launched in August 2023.
Indonesia has large numbers of small islands, and requires large numbers of small vessels to patrol and provide presence. Indonesian naval procurement continues to be split between a small number of ‘high-end’ war-fighting vessels and large numbers of relatively patrol ships of various shapes and sizes for constabulary roles. The long-term target of achieving a 274- strong fleet – including over a hundred combatants – by 2024 that was first announced in the Minimum Essential Forces modernisation programme initiated in 2009, looks set to be substantially scaled back. In effect, new deliveries are just about matching the pace of withdrawals.
