"FS Dixmude L9015 docked at Benoa`s Tourism Port, while FS Surcouf F711 docked at Celukan Bawang Harbor, Buleleng," captain of FS Dixmude, Jean Porcher, noted in a statement received in Denpasar, Bali, on Monday.
Porcher further stated that the two vessels will stay at Benoa Harbor and Celukan Bawang for five days, after which they will join the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2018 event in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, bearing the theme `Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.`
"The French vessel`s visit is a form of commitment to strengthen the relations between the Indonesian and French Navy, as they both share interests in global and regional security and stability," he remarked.
Furthermore, he explained that France and Indonesia have the same interests in maintaining maritime traffic and sailing freedoms in accordance with the UN convention on the law of the sea.
The two French warships visited Bali in order to carry out a port visit, before heading to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, for the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2018.
In light of the arrival of the two French warships, the Denpasar Navy Base is preparing a platoon of security forces in the tourism area of Benoa harbor, as well as dropping a combat boat and a sea-rider to carry out marine patrols around the Benoa harbor in Bali.
FS Dixmude L9015 is an amphibious and commando carrier weighing 21 thousand tons. The vessel can carry 16-35 helicopters, one battalion of troops, and 70 armored vehicles. The ship is also equipped with a hospital, completed with two operating rooms, one radiology room, and one dental room. There is also a recorder as well as 69 bedrooms.
FS Dixmude L9015 also features advanced weapons, such as the Mistral Sinbad missiles, 22 millimeter guns, and heavy machine guns (SMB) automatic M2HB Browning Caliber 12.7 millimeters. Meanwhile, FS Surcouf F711, weighing 3.6 thousand tons, is equipped with electronic warfare equipment and decoy launchers, 8x Exocet MM40 block II anti-ship missiles, 1x 100 mm TR automatic gun, 2x 20 mm model F2 guns, and 1x Crotale CN2 launcher.
Previously, Assistant of Operations Commander of Navy Main Base (Asops Danlantamal) V Surabaya, Colonel Heri Winarno, had released three Singapore warships from North Jamrut Dock at Tanjung Perak Port Surabaya.
The three warships were RSS Formidable (FMD), RSS Independence (IND), and RSS Valour (VLR). Furthermore, the three warships will sail to their respective destinations, such as following the "Bilateral Exercise Eagle Indopura (BBEI) 2018" exercise, or join the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2018 event.
Reported by Edy M Yakub
(UU.KR-ARC/INE)
(UU.KR-ARC/A/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
