Defense Minister: Treat 2 New KRI Mine Hunters To Be Ready For Combating

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto advised the ranks of the Indonesian Navy to properly care for two new mine-seeking warships, namely the Warship of the Republic of Indonesia (KRI) Pulau Fani-731 and KRI Pulau Fanildo-732 to always be ready for combat.

Defense Minister Prabowo explained that the two German-made mine hunting vessels, which are currently assigned to strengthen Fleet Command (Koarmada) II, are strategic defense and sovereignty of Indonesian waters.

"To the Commander of KRI Fani Island-731 and KRI Pulau Fanildo-732, I hope that this sophisticated and modern ship can always be used properly. Treat and maintain the condition of these ships, both physically and in terms of equipment, so that they are always in a state of readiness for operation and are ready to fight to maintain the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia," said the Minister of Defense when giving a mandate at handover and ship passing ceremonies at Madura Pier, Ujung, Surabaya, East Java, reported by ANTARA, Monday, August 14.

Prabowo continued that ships that were well cared for and maintained could have a long life to strengthen the Indonesian Navy's fleet in the future.

The Minister of Defense also said that the KRI of Fani Island and KRI of Fanildo Island, which were created at the Abeking & Resmussen Shipyard, Lamwerder-Bremen, Germany, were a form of defense cooperation between Indonesia and Germany. The cooperation was formed because of strong mutual trust between the two countries.

"We will continue to improve this cooperation for the good and progress of the two countries," he said.

Therefore, the Minister of Defense expressed his gratitude to Abeking & Resmussen for being able to complete the construction of the two mine hunting vessels (MCMV) on time.

Prabowo also expressed his gratitude to the MCMV Task Force, the Indonesian House of Representatives, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy for Germany, and all parties involved in the purchase and manufacture of KRI Pulau Fani-731 and KRI Pulau Fanildo-732.

"These ships will work by means of detection, classification, identification of underground targets that resemble mines. Not only can they detect, but can also destroy or neutralize mines with existing facilities. With the sophistication of the technology, I am sure that these two MCMV ships can answer the defense and security challenges at the necessary time," explained the Minister of Defense.