Bandar Lampung, Lampung (Antara Bali) - Indonesia's PT Daya Radar Utama, has successfully built a tank landing ship named "KRI Teluk Bintuni-520".
"The procurement of this transport ship is one of the efforts to create the country's main defense and security force, and the ship can be used by the Navy when patrolling sea lanes," said Minister of Defense Purnomo Yusgiantoro during the launching ceremony and inauguration of KRI Teluk Bentuni-520's commander in Bandar Lampung on Saturday.
With a 120-meter length and maximum speed of 16,000 knots, which is supported by two engines with capacities of 3,285 KW, KRI Teluk Bintuni-520 is able to transport ten Germany leopard tanks with a total weight of 62.5 ton.
Indonesia spent some Rp160 billion to build the ship, which can carry 120 crew members and 300 soldiers.
"This ship also shows the government's support for domestic industries in order to lessen the dependency on other countries," Purnomo said.
"The government has also established the Committee of Defense Industry Policy to assist domestic defense industries," he added.
According to the Lampung Governor, Ridho Ficardo, the region expects that the shipyard and maritime industry in Indonesia will be able to support the Navy in its mission to enforce maritime defense and security.
"Not only in our sea territory, but also across the globe," Ridho said.
Ridho noted that Lampung has the potential for maritime industry, as it is supported by a strategic location with Lampung Gulf, which is suitable for docking.
Similar to the governor's statement, PT Daya Radar Utama (DRU) CEO Amir Gunawan said besides the Lampung Gulf, the location near Java Island is also strategic for developing the maritime industry.
"I want to make Lampung a province that is recognized for its maritime industry in Indonesia, so we do not need to depend on Singapore, for example," Amir said.
DRU has built a dock at Lampung Gulf to support their production, but, Amir noted that the domestic maritime industry also needs more qualified laborers to build advanced shipyards.
DRU has been able to build ships reaching 17,500 Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) capacity which were ordered by the state-owned oil and gas enterprise PT Pertamina, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Transportation. (WDY)
