PT PAL hands over new warship

State shipbuilder PT PAL handed over a new warship to the Defense Ministry on Saturday and will produce a more sophisticated combat vessel, Antara news agency reported.

The construction of the KRI Banjarmasin is part of a program to rejuvenate the Indonesian Navy fleet. Financial constraints have forced the Navy to keep many aging vessels operating, leaving them vulnerable to accidents.

PT PAL president director Harsusanto said the new warship could carry 560 personnel and five helicopters. Unlike other ships, the KRI Banjarmasin incorporates a stealth design that allows it to avoid radar detection.

The warship cost the state US$30 million, most of which was spent on the South Korean-made engine.

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the ministry’s researchers and PT PAL would design a bigger and more powerful warship.

Purnomo added the government would remain cautious about allocating a budget to procure submarines. “We are ready to buy submarines, but we need more time to study the plan,” Purnomo said.

At least two countries – South Korea and Russia – have offered to build submarines for the Indonesian Navy.