His side continues to meet these needs in accordance with the budget allocated by the government.
"We continue to always fulfill our main duties," he stated at a press conference after the handover ceremony of TD Ranai Tugboat at the Noahtu Shipyard, Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Friday (December 8).
According to Aldedharma, the tugboat is part of the Integrated Fleet Weapons System (SSAT) that consists of warships (KRI), aircraft, marine troops, and bases. Tugboats are a crucial tool to ensure shipping traffic and the process of docking ships at bases to run smoothly.
However, he did not yet name the ideal number for tugboats, as it will be following the number of ships at each base.
"If we are talking about the ideal number, each naval base should have a tugboat," he remarked.
Related news: Indonesian Navy expects to have 20 missile boats by 2024
The Indonesian Navy officially received the third unit of a total of eight tugboats ordered from the domestic shipyard PT Noahtu Shipyard to strengthen the Fleet Command I. The tugboat, named TD Ranai, will strengthen the Indonesian Navy Main Base (Lantamal) IV in Batam under the Fleet Command (Koarmada) I.
The two earlier tugboats -- TD Irau and TD Umsini -- were received by the Indonesian Navy on August 21, 2023, to strengthen Lantamal XIV Sorong under Koarmada III.
Apart from the three tugboats, the Indonesian Navy already has 10 tugboats, two of which are under the control of Koarmada I, while the remaining eight are under the control of Koarmada II.
Two tugboats -- TD Galunggung and TD Malabar -- are under the control of Koarmada I, while eight tugboats -- TD Merapi, TD Merbabu, TD Wilis, TD Tambora, TD Tinombala, TD Bromo, TD Lawu, and TD Anjasmoro -- come under Koarmada II.
Related news: Navy, shipbuilder build warship, patrol boat in Batam
Translator: Genta Tenri M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
