Scheduled for Launch May 2023, Delivery August
Indonesian shipbuilder PT Karimun Anugrah Sejati (KAS) has begun building the third of five PC-60M patrol craft for the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL).
The navy announced on 4 March that a “first steel-cutting and keel-laying” ceremony was held at the company’s facilities on Batam, in the province of Riau Islands. The 60m vessel is scheduled for launch in May 2023, and for delivery to the TNI-AL three months later. After induction, it is expected to be assigned to the navy’s Komando Armada I (1st Fleet Command), and be deployed on patrol missions to “maintain state sovereignty and security, as well as to ensure national interests at sea”.
The first two craft of the class are being built by another local shipyard – PT Caputra Mitra Sejati – with the first vessel, construction of which began in February 2020, slated for launch in August. No information has yet been released as to which shipyard will be building the final two vessels of the class.
According to the TNI-AL, the PC-60M craft will have a beam of 8.5m, a top speed of 24kt, a cruising capability of 8 days, and a crew completement of 55. The vessels will be armed with one 40mm naval gun mounted on the front deck, and two 12.7mm machineguns. Imagery provided by the navy also shows that the craft will embark a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB).
Gabriel Dominguez in Singapore for MON
